Date: Fri, 12 Oct 2007 00:10:06 -0500
From: "ESCO automatic digest system" <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.UIC.EDU>
Subject: ESCO Digest - 5 Oct 2007 to 11 Oct 2007 (#2007-74)
To: ESCO@LISTSERV.UIC.EDU

There are 5 messages totalling 962 lines in this issue.

Topics of the day:
1. Handling patient insurance
2. Communication
3. New Office
4. Invitation to a special Orthodontic seminar
5. Failed Initial Consults

 

Date: Tue, 9 Oct 2007 12:00:44 EDT
From: "Dr. Robert W. Bruno" <Orthos68@AOL.COM>
Subject: Re: handling patient insurance

Hi Members,

Thanks to all for the recent responses, very insightful. I have another practice management question. For the past 18 years, I have not accepted insurance on assignment but my office filled out the forms for the patient and they were reimbursed directly. In the current climate, it seems our office has been losing quite a few patients to other offices so I would like to change my office insurance protocol. A friend suggested keeping the records fee and initial payment the same and apply the insurance payments to the balance of monthly payments. I was wondering how others handled insurance and if this suggestion is viable?

Regards,
Rob Bruno
Manhasset, NY


Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 14:47:09 -0400
From: "Lively Orthodontics, P.A." <mdlively@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: Re: communication

Hi Rob:

Sounds like you are doing a good job.  We send an exam letter, a pre-treatment check-off sheet with regards to recent cleanings, perio issues and referral preferences, a post-consult letter w/pano, picture montage and for some a model montage.  We also make a phone call and send a thank you note with goodies the day the braces go on.  When the braces come off, we make a phone call the day, send them a final pano, fax them a copy of the third molar letter that goes to the family and send them a final photo montage and a pano to the offices that have requested them.  We send progress panos to the handful of offices that have requested them over the years.  There are some that would prefer to have nothing sent (bad idea) and some that want to know everything (make them happy) and the rest just want to know you are making their patients happy and giving them a heads-up if there is a problem. Our biggest issue is getting them back for cleanings.  So, we have asked every office to please call if someone no shows or is late for a visit. 

With warmest personal regards,
Mark

 

Date: Sun, 7 Oct 2007 14:28:26 -0400
From: "Lively Orthodontics, P.A." <mdlively@BELLSOUTH.NET>
Subject: New Office

Hi All:

I will be doing a build-out on a 50x60 ft office that I am purchasing.  I have another question with regards to designing a new office: For those who have built a new office or did a build-out on an existing structure, what would you do differently and what is the best thing you did that is working well in your current office?

With warmest personal regards,
Mark

 

Date: Sat, 6 Oct 2007 17:58:19 EDT
From: Typodont@AOL.COM
Subject: Re: Invitation to a special Orthodontic seminar

Dear Orthodontic Colleagues,

On behalf of the Greater New York Dental Meeting, The Dept. of Orthodontics at NYU College of Dentistry, and the Orthodontic Alumni Society at NYU, I would like to invite our orthodontic colleagues worldwide to a unique orthodontic seminar event.

Real Orthodontic Problems: Real Orthodontic Solutions is a jointly sponsored full day orthodontic seminar event at The 2007 GNYDM on Tuesday, Nov. 27 th , at the Javits Convention Center in NYC. Many of you have either received the GNYDM 2007 Program Guide (look at pages 110-111) or a special brochure giving all the details of the orthodontic meeting and registration information. You may also visit the GNYDM website at www.gnydm.com .

Roberto Justus ( Mexico ), Anthony Gianelly ( Boston ) Joseph Ghafari ( Beirut , Lebanon ), Wick Alexander ( Arlington , Texas ), Orhan Tuncay ( Philadelphia ), and I (Moskowitz, NYC) will be presenting. George Cisneros and Olivier Nicolay (NYC) will be moderating. 6 Continuing Education Credits will be awarded to all seminar attendees. Following the meeting, a cocktail party will be hosted by the Orthodontic Alumni and the GNYDM; and yes, attendance to the GNYDM light buffet dinner â€shappening eventâ€t is included for all of the Tuesday Orthodontic seminar attendees. The tuition is only $225 and all of the events, including the cocktail party and dinner, have only been made possible from subsidies from the Orthodontic Alumni Society and the GNYDM. There is a lot of value to this full day seminar. If you need more information, please contact me at typodont@aol.com . The GNYDM is the largest dental meeting in the U.S.A. and last year’s Orthodontic Seminar was completely sold out. All orthodontic residents from AAO accredited orthodontic programs will be admitted free.

Please register in advance for the GNYDM which has no general registration fee if you register early. On-site GNYDM registration is $30.00

Your colleague,

Elliott M. Moskowitz, D.D.S.,M.Sd

President, NYU Orthodontic Alumni Society

 

Date: Wed, 10 Oct 2007 11:38:04 -0400
From: "Speck, Morton" <morton_speck@HSDM.HARVARD.EDU>
Subject: Failed Initial Consults
Dear Gary-

I don't think you should send a health questionnaire in your first correspondence. I think that will turn some people off.   The health questionnaire should be handled in your office by a warm and caring person.  That can help to start a personal relationship between your office and the patient/parents.

Your initial letter should thank them for making an appointment,  with an attractive and unique appointment card enclosed.  Most important, you should enclose your office brochure:

1. Tells them about you and your practice providing state of the art orthodontics. (How do you set yourself apart form others?)
2. Examples of before and after photos.
3. A word about your flexible financing 4. Directions to your office

I would guess that most successful practices have at some point hired a practice management/ marketing consultant.

I recall when I began practice many moons ago, I was told you should attend as many practice management seminars as you do clinical orthodontic courses.  That's probably still good advice.

Mort Speck