ALDA Guide To Membership Benefits

  When you become a member of the Alabama Dental Association, you are making a sound financial investment in your future. Organized dentistry protects your interests-as well as those of your patients-ensuring that you can continue to offer the highest quality dental care available. Now, more than ever, dentistry faces challenges from insurance companies, regulatory agencies and government encroachment. ALDA can and does help; just ask any of our more than 1,700 members. Listed below are some of the benefits, services and products available at no cost or reduced cost to ALDA members. For additional information, contact the ALDA office at (800) 489-2532.

 

Benefits/ Services

 

AL-D-PAC and ADPAC

 

ALDA members can enhance their political involvement by contributing to AL-D-PAC - ALDA's Political Action Committee, and ADPAC - the ADA's counterpart. The funds contributed when paying annual membership dues are used to support legislative candidates who will work on behalf of the dental health issues affecting Alabama citizens.

 

Alliance (AALDA)

 

Spouses of members who desire to become involved with dentistry contribute a great deal to the promotion of dental health through membership in the Alliance of the Alabama Dental Association. The Alliance has local and national chapters as well.

 

Annual Session

 

At the annual meetings of both ALDA and the ADA, members have the opportunity to participate in numerous educational activities; earn valuable continuing education credit; view the latest in equipment, supplies and services; take an active role in the business of the Association; meet and mingle with colleagues; and attend an interesting array of social gatherings.

 

Continuing Education

 

Through attendance at local dental society and ALDA meetings, a wide variety of continuing education programs are available to members. Each dental society plans and implements programs for CE credit. ALDA offers over 70 hours of continuing education credit at our Annual Session each year and 16 hours of credit at AL-D-PAC's Annual  Seminar. ALDA members attend these programs at discounted rates.   

 

Government Relations

 

ALDA is the voice of our membership in Alabama, not only during the legislative session but also throughout the year. Government plays a major role in the professional well- being of Alabama's dentists. Only through the collective voice of our 1,700 plus members will we demand the attention of Alabama's elected officials. Each District Dental Society is represented on ALDA's Council on Legislation and members are encouraged to become a “Contact Dentist” to one or more state legislators. Member input regarding legislative affairs is always welcomed and encouraged.

 

 

Peer Review

 

Even though members do their very best to eliminate the dental problems of their patients, there will always be the case where a patient believes he/she has not received quality dental care. If this situation arises, members are encouraged first to try to reach a resolution with the patient. Should that effort be unsuccessful, ALDA and its District Dental Societies offer a public service known as Peer Review. The Peer Review process has been very effective in eliminating the necessity for legal proceedings to settle disputes regarding dental care. Peer Review can be initiated by a patient, a dentist or a dental benefits company against either or both of the involved parties. Peer review is a free service to the public.

 

Publications

 

ALDA News keeps members in tune with the latest news and concerns to the dental profession in Alabama. ALDA and District Dental Society activities, government regulations, legislative information, scientific advancements, and other news that influences Alabama dentistry are all included.

 

The ALDA Council on the New Dentist sponsors a publication titled “Roadmap to Building A Successful Dental Practice in Alabama.” The Roadmap is distributed to senior dental students, graduate

students, and dentists who have graduated within the last ten years. It is also available upon request.

 

Website

 

ALDA Online, the internet home of the Alabama Dental Association, offers immediate access to everything you need to know about our Association. The site includes member services, current news, links to other dental sites, a calendar of events, and much more. Visit ALDA Online at www.aldaonline.org. The ADA’s website (www.ada.org) offers a wealth of informative information for dental professionals as well as the public.    

 

Endorsed Products

 

ALDA Personal MasterCard or VISA credit cards

Bank of America provides the “group name” Affinity credit card program to “group abbreviation” members. Bank of America offers credit limits up to $100,000 and members can request a year-end summary of charges to recap purchasing activity.

“Group abbreviation” members will be part of the WorldPoints^SM  rewards program.  Earn rewards points on net-retail purchases and redeemed for cash, travel or merchandise.   See offer for details.

For additional information on the “group name” endorsed personal credit card program, please call (866) 438-6262 and ask for the “group name” credit card or click on the attached link to apply securely on line.

CareCredit

Patient Payment Plans

 

CareCredit's patient financing program offers a variety of payment plan options, including 3, 6, 12, & 18 Month No Interest and 24, 36, 48, & 60 Month Extended Payment Plans with a 9.9% Patient Interest Rate. CareCredit increases treatment acceptance and provides payment at the time of treatment with no responsibility, even if the patient delays payment or defaults.  Applications for CareCredit are easy to submit by phone, fax, online or now from your computer desktop.  For more information on CareCredit, click here: www.carecredit.com or call 800-300-3046, ext. 4519 (new enrollment) or 800-859-9975 (already enrolled).

 

Emdeon—The ADA’s Electronic Commerce Company

 

ALDA endorses Emdeon, the American Dental Association's Electronic Commerce Company's (ADA ECCo) clearinghouse provider. Formerly known as WebMD, Emdeon provides the communication link between the dental office and insurance companies, and ALDA members have access to the largest direct network of dental payers. Emdeon currently processes over 2 million dental electronic claims per month. Emdeon is a leading provider of electronic data interchange services to participants in the health care market including dentists, pharmacies, physicians, hospitals and many others.

 

The first step toward automating your office with electronic claim submission may be as simple as contacting your current practice management software vendor. If your software vendor does not have the capability to send electronic claims, a list of networked practice management software vendors may be requested by calling Emdeon at (888) 545-6127.   

 

FDA Services Health Insurance

 

FDA Services offers group health insurance plans for ALDA members, staff and families. Each plan offers comprehensive coverage for medically necessary expenses. However, each plan provides a different level of medical coverage - so the premium amount is appropriate to the degree of coverage you want. For more information on group health plans through FDA Services, call (800) 877-7597 and ask for Alabama Dental Association group health plans.

 

Guardian/ Berkshire Individual Disability Programs

Own-Occupation/non-Cancelable (Specialty Dental Language)

Personal Disability Income Insurance and Professional Overhead Insurance are tailored for the specific needs of dental professionals and ALDA members. These disability contracts are “Own-Occupation / Non-Cancelable,” and have been negotiated on behalf of our association members. They are underwritten by the Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America, a wholly owned stock company of The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America. Their “Specialty Dental Language” make them the “Intelligent Choice” of all dental professionals. These contracts will be administered by FDA Services. The Guardian is a highly rated insurance carrier, based in New York and established in 1860.

To learn more about this valuable protection, please call Tom Sherry at D.I. Experts, Inc. (888) 855-2532 or (727) 432-4736 or e-mail to DIExperts@tampabay.rr.com

 

Great West Life & Annuity Insurance Products

 

Great West plans meet the unique needs of Alabama's dentists. ALDA members get the protection they need at rates that are among the lowest anywhere. Great West offers many insurance programs including term life insurance policies at values up to $1 million. For general information and assistance regarding insurance programs for ALDA members, call Great West Life and Annuity Insurance Company at (800) 568-2001.     

 

Holloway Credit Solutions      www.hollowaycredit.com

 

ALDA members who seek professional services in collecting past-due accounts are encouraged to discuss this area of practice management with Holloway Credit Solutions. Even prior to ALDA's endorsement, the company was already doing business with 150 dentists throughout the state.

 

Dentists in the Montgomery area may reach Holloway by calling (334) 396-1243. Outside the Montgomery area, use the company's toll free number (800) 264-2700 ext. 243.

 

Banc of America Practice Solutions

 

For over 20 years, Banc of America Practice Solutions has served the needs of dentists by offering financial products and services to the dental community.  Whether you own a practice or are just getting started, we can provide customized financial solutions for your short-term needs and long-term aspirations:  

 

Purchase & Start-up

• Practice Sales & Purchases
• New Practice Start-ups
• Commercial real Estate Products                                                                     

 

Growth & Restructuring

• Improvement and Expansion Financing
• Equipment Financing
• Practice Equity Loan Program

 

Banc of America Practice Solutions offers some of the most flexible and competitive terms and benefits in the industry today, backed with the dedicated focus on customer satisfaction for which Bank of America is known worldwide.  If you are interested in learning more about how Bank of America can assist you with the management and growth of your practice, and how you can get reduced loan administration fees as a member of the State Association, please call us toll free at (800) 497-6076, Monday through Friday, 8a.m. to 8p.m., Eastern Time and mention code 1D7F3.

 

* All programs are subject to credit approval and loan amounts are subject to credit

worthiness. Some restrictions may apply.

 

Banc of America Practice Solutions is a Bank of America Company.

(c) 2006 Bank of America Corporation

 

 

Medical Assurance Professional Liability Insurance

 

Medical Assurance (formerly Mutual Assurance) is recognized for its leadership in providing cost-effective professional liability insurance to Alabama dentists. In addition to tenacious claims defense producing results substantially above industry averages, Medical Assurance offers risk management programs and resources designed exclusively for the dental community. Medical Assurance's financial stability is indisputable, having received a rating of "A+" from Standard & Poor's, and an "A" from A.M. Best. Medical Assurances' malpractice policy is designed for seamless integration with its Total Practice Protection office policy to provide complete professional protection. Along with a wide variety of personal insurance products available from the Medical Assurance Agency, Medical Assurance offers ALDA members a complete insurance package.

 

If you are interested in putting this combination of superior claims defense, personal service and quality insurance products to work for you, please call Linda Trigg or Laurie Gambrell at (205) 877-4400 (Birmingham office) or (800) 282-6242.

 

Merrill Lynch Retirement Plans

 

Merrill Lynch, in collaboration with The Hartford, provides a customized retirement plan for Alabama dentists. Financial advisors will be able to help each dental practice articulate its financial goals, assess each participant’s tolerance for risk, develop a comprehensive retirement plan and build a portfolio that will help each dental practice realize its objectives. Merrill Lynch also has an ERISA attorney on staff to evaluate each practice’s retirement plan if you have special needs for more complex alternatives.

 

The Hartford will offer a wide array of retirement plans and investment options for ALDA members and each plan will be custom tailored to suit the needs of each individual practice and participant. Fees have been drastically reduced for ALDA members and all installation costs have been waived. Each retirement plan will have thirty-five (35) fund families to choose from including, but not limited to, Aim, Alger, Alliance Bernstein, American Century, American Funds, Eaton Vance, Evergreen, Fidelity, Franklin-Templeton, Goldman Sachs, Janus and Oppenheimer. Each practice will be able to choose up to forty-four (44) investment choices from these fund families. Features such as automatic portfolio rebalancing and the inclusion of lifestyle funds will also be available for each practice.

 

Merrill Lynch has locations in Birmingham, Montgomery, Gadsden, Tuscaloosa, Anniston, Huntsville, Florence, Dothan, Mobile and Fairhope. For more information, contact Dan Chambliss at (800) 921-2295/ (334) 409-5837 or Cindy Clark at (800) 921-2270/ (334) 409-5828.

 

Great American Life

Long Term Care Insurance

 

The Alabama Dental Association has endorsed Great American Life Insurance Company as our long term care program of choice.  Through this endorsement, all members and their extended family members will receive a 13% discount not offered outside the association. Simplified underwriting for this program is also available. For more information, please contact Joel Allen at (800) 325-9876.

 

Lands’ End Business Outfitters

 

Lands’ End Business Outfitters now provides dental practices with high-quality apparel that can be customized with the practice’s logo or name. ALDA members are eligible for a 10 percent discount on all purchases, including merchandise and logo application.

 

Lands’ End will also offer the 10 percent discount on gift cards, which can be used as staff incentives or gifts for Lands’ End merchandise. Watch for the soon-to-come Lands’ End Business Outfitters/ADA Member Advantage catalog. To place an order or receive a catalog, call (800) 990-5407 or e-mail adamemberadvantage@landsend.com.

 

NOVA Information Systems        www.associations.novainfo.com

 

Receive payment at the time of service and feel secure in accelerated cash flow to your practice. In an effort to keep our members informed of all possible opportunities to increase your business revenue, we have endorsed a credit card acceptance program through NOVA Information Systems, Inc., the 3^rd largest credit card processor in the United States. ALDA and NOVA have teamed up to keep you from losing any more patients and hard earned money from competition.

 

Why should you accept credit cards at your practice? Patient Satisfaction. Increased practice cash flow. Increased revenue to the practice

 

To find out how your practice can get set up for credit card acceptance today, call (888) 545-2207 or send an email to mbnaassociationsales@novainfo.com.

 

 

 

Pitney Bowes – Postage Meters

 

Mailstation™ digital postage meter makes mail processing faster and more efficient. Enjoy faster output and automatic postal rate updates. This compact machine takes up only a small area of your workspace. For more information, call (877) 562-4500 and provide order

# 999995653.

 

SurePayroll – Payroll Processing

 

Process payroll anytime, anywhere in less than five minutes! Surepayroll’s simple, convenient and economical solution can help you run your office more efficiently, while keeping you in control of the payroll process. Take advantage of special ADA Member Advantage discounted pricing. Call (866) 535-3592 for details.

 

Tel-A-Patient – Message on Hold

 

As the leading message on-hold company in dentistry, Tel-A-Patient uses patient education and internal marketing to turn “hold” time into a powerful practice builder. Tel-A-Patient has specialized in providing dental practices with quality on-hold messages for more than 17 years.

For more information, visit www.telapatient.com or call (800) 553-7373. 

 

The Dental Record – Clinical Record Keeping System

 

Created by the Wisconsin Dental Association, The Dental Record has a complete clinical record keeping system of thorough and accurate dental patient record forms, dental charts, filing products, and more. For more information, visit www.dentalrecord.com or call (800) 243-4675.