The guide could promote transparency for patients, but insurance companies still have an impact
A new optional dental- fee guide has been released in Alberta to help lower-income households and seniors afford dental care. But according to one dentist from St. Albert, the guide won’t be of any help to anyone.
“People are still paying the same on premiums,” Dr. Frank Neves, a dentist at Bright Dental, told the St. Albert Gazette. “The only one who’s winning [is] the insurance companies.”
Compared to 2016 rates, the revised guide’s prescribed fees on most common dental procedures are lower by 8.5%. However, dentists can still choose whether or not they will follow the guide, and insurance companies can still set coverage rates at their discretion.
Three insurers agreed to follow the first guide, which was released in September. According to Neves, the insurance companies actually dropped their coverage prices, but charged the same premiums; in effect, dental procedures cost the companies less money while patients still had to pay the same monthly premiums.
“Plan premiums may or may not decrease based on fee guides,” Brian Geislinger, media relations for Alberta Blue Cross told the Gazette, adding that other factors are also considered. Geislinger also said that the first dental fee guide’s recommendations were applied to some of the agency’s plans. He couldn’t confirm whether the Alberta Blue Cross would follow the latest fee guide in the new year, or if it would be lowering premiums.
He added that while fee reductions are a good start, more has to be done. “We would like to see additional measures for reform, including mandating more open pricing and advertising, which would support consumer choice and foster competition,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sun Life Financial Director of Communications Gannon Loftus said the insurer will adopt the new 2018 fee guide, but did not say whether it would also be dropping its premiums.
Under the new guide, which will take effect on Jan. 1, there will be new prices for 60 different procedures. Consumers will also have access to a list of procedures, costs, and codes, which will allow them to shop for the best price.
Neves still has doubts on the impact of the guide, especially if insurance companies don’t follow its suggestions. But he said that it could encourage dentists to become more competitive.
“There might be a more discerning clientele that’ll say ‘for the same amount of money we’ll go see someone else [who offers better service],’” Neves said, though he added that some patients might simply seek the cheapest dentist rather than the best one.
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“People are still paying the same on premiums,” Dr. Frank Neves, a dentist at Bright Dental, told the St. Albert Gazette. “The only one who’s winning [is] the insurance companies.”
Compared to 2016 rates, the revised guide’s prescribed fees on most common dental procedures are lower by 8.5%. However, dentists can still choose whether or not they will follow the guide, and insurance companies can still set coverage rates at their discretion.
Three insurers agreed to follow the first guide, which was released in September. According to Neves, the insurance companies actually dropped their coverage prices, but charged the same premiums; in effect, dental procedures cost the companies less money while patients still had to pay the same monthly premiums.
“Plan premiums may or may not decrease based on fee guides,” Brian Geislinger, media relations for Alberta Blue Cross told the Gazette, adding that other factors are also considered. Geislinger also said that the first dental fee guide’s recommendations were applied to some of the agency’s plans. He couldn’t confirm whether the Alberta Blue Cross would follow the latest fee guide in the new year, or if it would be lowering premiums.
He added that while fee reductions are a good start, more has to be done. “We would like to see additional measures for reform, including mandating more open pricing and advertising, which would support consumer choice and foster competition,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sun Life Financial Director of Communications Gannon Loftus said the insurer will adopt the new 2018 fee guide, but did not say whether it would also be dropping its premiums.
Under the new guide, which will take effect on Jan. 1, there will be new prices for 60 different procedures. Consumers will also have access to a list of procedures, costs, and codes, which will allow them to shop for the best price.
Neves still has doubts on the impact of the guide, especially if insurance companies don’t follow its suggestions. But he said that it could encourage dentists to become more competitive.
“There might be a more discerning clientele that’ll say ‘for the same amount of money we’ll go see someone else [who offers better service],’” Neves said, though he added that some patients might simply seek the cheapest dentist rather than the best one.
Related stories:
Healthcare system should cover dental, says policy expert
Review reveals Alberta has highest dental fees in Canada
