132: The Insurance Extravaganza with Christine Taxin

[music] Welcome to the Navigating Dental Insurance Podcast [music] where we don't take from insurance companies. Here are your hosts, [music] Mr. Jordan Commtock and Mr. Ben Tuy. This podcast is sponsored [music] by BoomCloud Dental Membership Software, www.boomcloudapps.com boomcloudapps.com and [music] veritas dentalresources www.veritass [music] dentalresources.com. Enjoy the show. Welcome to another exciting episode of the Navigating Dental Insurance Podcast, everyone. My name is Jordan Comtock, your host today. And I'm sitting here in Utah. uh had a crazy long travel season season this uh the past few months

here, but I'm I'm here in Utah for the first full month of the year uh in July and I'm super excited. Um with me today I have Christine Taxin. She is one of my good friends. She is the owner of Links to Success and Dental Medical Billing, which is a course to help practices with medical billing. Welcome to the show, Christine. How you doing? I'm great and I'm excited that you're home for a change. I got to see your daughter's picture online. >> Yeah. With a

lemonade stand. >> Yes. [laughter] That was great. >> You to have daddy around. >> It Yeah, it is. She loves it when I'm home. So, we go camping. We do the lemonade stand, which you saw on Facebook. >> I did. I loved it. >> And she she was so successful at doing that lemonade stand, Christine. It was so awesome seeing it. And you say she's an entrepreneur like her dad. >> Yeah, she totally is. And like I'm not going to lie, I was super excited every

time a customer would customer customer would pull up and buy a lemonade. Like I was like just as excited as she was. Like I don't know what it is about it, but I love it when people buy things. [laughter] >> I'm sure she did too. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. She's saving So she's saving up for a a a I think Peach costume from Mario. She loves Peach from Mario. So, she's saving up for her costume for it. So, >> pretty good. >> Yeah. So, it was

a fun weekend, but happy to be home um and hanging out here in Utah. >> So, Christine, let's let's talk a little bit about you. What uh tell our audience where where are you calling in from today? >> I'm calling in from New York State. I'm in New York. >> Your home your home state, right? >> My home state. I'm actually home. Uh I was home for June. >> Nice. >> That's exciting. But I go tour next week. So I'm a little sad. [laughter] I'm ready.

I'm ready to go back out home is like torture. I have no children home anymore. I'm just a grandma. So I'm going down to see my grandson in Florida. >> Oh, that's awesome. >> Life is good. Like >> that's fantastic. Yeah, that's that's always good when you can spend time with the fam. >> Yeah. spending the whole month putting together the insurance extravaganza. >> Yes. Since and that's exactly what we're going to be talking about today because so Christine and I little backstory we met um

a while ago but Paul when I started BoomCloud Paul her husband Dr. taxin. Um he was one of my early customers of BoomCloud when I when I started launching BoomCloud and that's kind of how we got connected um through Paul Taxin, your husband Christine and and uh last year you invited me to come to was last year your first event for the insurance. >> Last year was the first year. >> Okay. So last year was Christine's first year doing the the insurance extravaganza event. >> Uh

she did it in Vegas which I believe that's where it's going to be again this year, right? Yes, it's going to be there again. >> Which was fantastic. It >> was fun. >> Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. So, last year was our first year talking about everything insurance um and how to work, you know, more efficiently with insurance. In my case, I spoke about obviously dental membership programs, how to work less with insurance, which that's my favorite topic, Christine. [laughter] >> Well, I agree with you, but we

have a problem here. >> Yeah, [laughter] >> there are patients with it. >> Absolutely. Absolutely. the the reason for the insurance extravaganza and why I love being friends with you and having you as part of the meeting is this is about everything. >> Yeah. >> And payment and how we can help maximize and even with that we have to have a way for patients to be able to put it in a family budget. >> Yeah, absolutely. I agree with that 100%. And so to me, it's

just a great and we need rules because no matter whether you have a plan like yours or >> billing dental or billing medical, I mean, we need to know our our laws and and how to make sure that we stay without any issues. Yeah. Because it's most important thing. >> Yeah. And stay profitable as you know practitioners and business owners. >> Absolutely. >> Right. So yeah, tell us can you tell us what last year what did what was the event like you know what were some

of the topics and tell us what we're going to see this year in the event. >> Okay well last year I was um I don't cry that easily but but at the end I I actually cried because I I couldn't believe how well received it was. >> Yeah. >> And um and it's not about me speaking. It was about the people, the speakers that we had. Lou Sherman, Dr. Lou Sherman, >> Duncan and Judith from New York State, uh the um the comm dental commissioner's office

and ADA people. It was just amazing. I mean, I learned so much and I I you know, you sit in awe with how you need a lot of people around you. So we are the dental team >> that's helping a dental team. >> Yeah. >> You know, >> fantastic. >> And everybody I the the remarks from it were so outstanding >> that I decided to do it again. And believe me, it was a lot of work. And I said, >> I can't imagine this. >> I'm

never doing this again. It's much work. But I we got so many responses from everyone that attended that it was fabulous. It was the most educational. It was I mean it was amazing. So this year we do have a different lineup of speakers. >> Sure. >> We have Lois Banter. She's gonna >> I love Lois. >> I know. And how could you not love Lois? >> Everybody loves Lois. >> Everybody loves Lois. And she's gonna open up the meeting for us. So, you know, that's going

to be exciting. >> Yeah. It's going to be fun. Yeah. And um we have two people from the ADA this year talking about different laws and things that we need to know. >> Fantastic. >> It's just it's it's going to be another amazing lineup. Teresa Duncan is back. >> Yeah. >> I have Dwayne Tinker who's an FBI a was an FBI agent and worked for the government. >> Really? and he now does um compliance and we work together a lot. >> So he's going to talk

about you know all of those documentation things and how to >> so that's just a small preview. Of course we have panels that you're going to be on because >> we know we need to know how do we make this work. >> Yeah. And I was so impressed with your company and I was jealous that my husband met you first. I mean [laughter] so upset. I mean even if you have insurance in your office >> Yeah. >> you need to have this because we we set

up with your company a one-year perio program. >> Uhhuh. >> And it has been the most outstanding program we've ever done. Great. That's fantastic. >> Patients are paying before they keep all their appointment. They still bill their insurance for them. >> Yeah. >> I mean, they still do their billing, but it's just it's streamlined billing that we're not in network with. >> Yeah. Yeah. >> That works fabulous. And even the ones we're in network because we do I don't I would say 70% medical billing. >>

Wow. And some patients have deductibles and some patients still have co-ayments and you know all that. So we still use BoomCloud for all of those expenses. >> Yeah. Fantastic. >> Yeah. Because we always include that one-year program. >> Yeah. >> Because nothing a patient does in their oral cavity is any longer just a filling or a crown. It's all about the oral systemic and keeping them healthy and clean so that the work stays forever. >> Yeah. And that's I mean that's I mean when I when

I started BoomCloud, right, helping practices create dental membership programs, that was my thought being in the being the lab in the lab side of the business, you know, seeing how many problems happen to patients. But if they were only, you know, to focus on maintaining and and get in a good ma maintenance program basically, u you're you're going to have less, you know, problems down the road. And that's kind of one of the reasons why I created BoomCloud to help practices get a better system in

place to help patients, right? Because it all boils down to patients, right? >> Everything that we we work on together at the insurance extravaganza is about our patients. >> Totally. It's about being profitable, taking care of our patients, which benefits everybody that goes to work in the dental industry. >> Absolutely. I couldn't agree with that more. you know, um that's I mean I've seen practices primarily here in Utah that they sign up with every you know PO under the sun and then they don't focus on

profitability as well and quality quality of dentistry can sometimes go down and and for the patients and then the profitability for the practice can go down right so if we can help the practices understand how to efficiently work with dental insurance and efficiently not work with dental insurance right [laughter] then then they're going to have a more profitable practice and they're going to be able to help patients and their team, you know, because that their team, you got to support your own team as well when

you own a business. >> Yep. So, >> you have to support them. >> You do. It's it's so critical. So, okay. So, from you today, I want to get a few tips um from you because you're like the insurance expert. Everyone knows you as as helping practices with this um in the dental industry. What are some of the your your top three to five tips that you can offer our our listeners today when in regards to working with dental insurance? >> Well, one of the big

things in dental insurance that most of your audience hasn't heard >> is the additional benefits dental insurancees will give a patient if they have an oral systemic infection. >> Okay. >> So, example, I'll talk about Sigma. >> Yes. Sigma across all of the states in our country has an option for patients that have pero infections or even if they're in maintenance to get two additional visits a year but you have to know the reason they will receive them. So for example, if your patient is diabetic,

they would be allowed those additional visits. They also get discounts on all their home care because even insurance companies understand that home care is a necessary evil. >> And so they will even give discounts on that. What we have found is that there are more and more dental plans now adding these benefits on and that's why the ADA this year has written also is going to have in their new updated coding book all of the diagnostic codes that will relate to the dental industry which are

the same as the medical industry. so we could start getting those additional benefits. >> So, it's it's fantastic linking closer and closer to how medical is covered because really what they're asking is is there a medical necessity with this patient >> and that's what we're giving them. The patient's diabetic, the patient's pregnant, the patient has kidney disease or any of diseases. So you have ways of moving into medical without actually even billing a medical insurance. >> That's really interesting. Well, and if you if you think

about it, Christine, like I always find it funny that that dentistry and medical are so like far apart from each other. >> Um but in reality, it's all medical, right? Like it's part of our body. >> Yeah. So, it's I just I find it funny that there's such a disconnect between the the both industries, medical and dental. Not disconnect, but you know, you talk to some, you know, physicians and they think way differently than than dentists, right? But it's all it's we're they're all health care

providers trying to help the patient, you know, feel better or improve their, you know, something on their body, right? [laughter] like >> well actually there is a law Jordan that covers dentists because that's a big question I get every >> every time I speak to a new office they ask me is it legal it is absolutely legal because in 2014 CMS which is government right yep wrote a law and it states that a person covered I mean this is a short version >> of course >>

person covered under any group health policy or contract shall be entitled to reimbursement for such services regardless of whether the service is performed by a licensed physician or a licensed dentist as long as it's in the scope of their practice. So of course a medical provider cannot do surgery in the oral cavity. >> Yeah. And a a dental provider is an oral cavity specialist. And that's how we have to start to think. >> Yeah, that's interesting. >> Specialist within the >> the body. >> Yeah. Absolutely.

That's exactly what what dentistry is, right? So that's interesting that they have laws like that that help help with. >> So there is no in fact it's against the law for an insurance company to discriminate against a doctor's license. >> Oh, really? Mhm. >> Oh, that's fantastic. That so that's good good to know out there. Hopefully all you practitioners just say, "Hey, I'm a licensed professional here." >> Yes, they are. I mean, they go as much schooling. But I could tell you that the dental schools,

Jordan, are now adding >> I mean, I taught at Harvard. Harvard's whole dental school system is in con connection with the medical school. They go on rounds together. They diagnose patients together. Yeah, it's all connected. >> Is doing it. NYU is they're all changing to it. >> And the biggest thing that I've seen change are hospitals such as uh Columbia here in New York, Mount Si and Detroit Medical Center are now adding in uh clearance within the oral cavity prior to any medical services done. when

the patient's in the hospital. >> Wow. Well, that's interesting. >> It's, you know, that's because we know that that bacteria is going through the rest of our body because it's the dig digestive tract. >> Yeah, totally. It's I mean, it's all connected. So, it makes sense that the two industries kind of align more together in my opinion. So, awesome. So what what what are some other tips you got for our audience about just >> we have well that that's one of them. There is a whole

new claim form dental claim form coming out. >> Okay. >> And um we all need to be aware of that. I'm going to have a few online courses for that >> should they understand that their dental claim form is going to be filled out almost like their medical claim form. So, they're they're in for a little bit of a shock here [laughter] in that respect. But, um, we always did upper right, upper left, lower left, lower right. We can't do that on the new claim form.

We're going to have to put the numbers that correspond to the area of the oral cavity, which is the way the medical insurance does it. >> Like, so give us an example like tooth number five. If you do upper right quadrant >> Uhhuh. >> right now on a dental claim form, if you did scaling on an upper right, you would put on your claim form upper right you are and what you did. >> Okay? >> And that is no longer going to pay. You're going to

have to put 10 and then the code that you did it. So the areas of the oral cavity are broken up in numbers. >> Yeah. Uh-huh. >> 10 20 30 40 or you use J, which means the oral cavity. Like if you did a debridement. >> Uhhuh. >> Full mouth debridement, you'd have to use J, which says the full oral cavity. >> Okay. >> So, there's changes coming. Lots of them. >> Yeah. And if if the practice is not staying on top of these change, then

they're not going to get paid, right? Is that kind of >> Well, yeah. you if you send in an old claim form or you don't know how to update it comes January, you're going to get denied claims and you're not even going to know why. >> Wow. >> So, pay attention to Christine, everybody. >> That's right. Pay attention. >> Yeah. >> I I'm Judge Judy. [laughter] >> That's awesome. Cool. Awesome. >> We got a lot coming up. >> Yeah, that sounds like there's a lot. And

I'm I'm I'm assuming that you're going to be talking about that at at at the >> insurance. We're going to have all of that is going to be there. We're going to have everything recorded again. >> Cool. That's fantastic. >> So, we could put courses up online and we're actually going to have people being able to buy the courses if they can't attend in person. >> Smart. That's smart. They're going to be able to purchase certain courses online for just the course they want. >> Oh,

that's fantastic. That's a great idea. Not too many conferences do that or do that. >> I I mean I w I wish everybody could experience the whole thing, but it's harder to get some of it than none of it. >> Yeah. Well, and it's fun your conference. I mean, I had a blast at your last conference. That was it was a lot of fun. A lot of good people came and Vegas is just fun to hang out with, too. right at hang out there in Vegas.

So, it's you guys chose the right location. [laughter] All right. What's your what's your last tip and then we'll get we'll talk about dates and other you know what to expect at your event coming up here this year. >> Okay. Well, I wanted to give everybody um the one of the websites that also has this gentle medical information. >> Sure. Sure. Go ahead. and if you don't mind and it it's wwwc which is United Healthcare and it's called bridge the number two health. >> Okay. >>

So it's it's bridge to health and it's www.uhc.com. >> Okay. Awesome. So go there and check that out. >> Yep. And then if they're interested, they could go on my website and take a look for a lot of other information that's on there. >> Yeah. Share share share your website real quick. >> It's uh www. dentalmed medical billing.com. >> Perfect. And your in audience is free to use a free download for a month. And all they have to put in is capital D, capital M, capital

B, capital T, R I A L. >> Perfect. >> And they'll get a month where they could ask me questions all month long. >> Oh, nice. So, so that they can ask you questions and consume some of the content that you've created there. >> Yep. Perfect. That's fantastic. All right, let's hear let's hear another tip and then we'll uh talk about the date of your your event and and some more exciting things that you have going for that. Okay. So, we have the the final tip

is from from me is if you have emergency patients coming in, I mean trauma related, a kid falls in the skull, you know, they go to camp and they >> rode a bike and fell or whatever and they traumatize their oral cavity. You should build that directly to medical. >> Uhhuh. Interesting. >> And thousand% because trauma is medical. >> Yeah. Absolutely. medical need. And if you happen to be vacationing, like I'm all over and you're all over and if we get hurt, you know, and we

hit our face on something, we could go to a dentist in any state, even if he's not on our plan. >> Oh, wow. >> And be seen as an emergency patient. The insurance companies across the country have a emergencybased clause in all of our policies. So, it's better to do it medical because there's that clause that will cover you for any emergency treatment. >> Wow. >> That you have when you're traveling or you're in another state. And I like to make sure people know that because

too often we lay out that money and then we never get paid back. >> Yeah. No, that's interesting. And and Christine, here's one question I have for you. What what are some of the biggest benefits of of submitting to medical insurance, >> right? You collect a lot more money. >> So you collect a lot more so you can take care of the patients better, >> right? You can take care patients better. But the biggest thing is patients are able to access not just 1,500 like dental.

>> I mean between you and I, Jordan, we know that a root canal is going to eat that up. >> Yeah. >> Absolutely. >> How do they pay for the the crown? >> They don't have any money for that. So a lot of times what happens is they get the root canal done and they can't afford a crown. Mhm. >> And so unless they have wound cloud or if somebody knows to bill medical, those people don't get that crown and you know what happens? They end

up losing the tooth anyway. >> Yeah. >> And >> it's really what I say to offices, you don't need to be a network. You just need to know that patients need to maximize whatever they have. Absolutely. We as a providers need to know as many ways as making it profitable but yet have the patient be able to fit it within their budget. >> Yeah. No, I agree 100% with that. Right. Figure out how to take care of the patient whether they have insurance or out you're

out of network or they don't have dental insurance. Um figure out the best way to take care of them and and maximize whatever they have. >> Right. And you know, it doesn't mean you have to take it or be in network. It what it really means is you're just helping your patient try to maximize that money. >> Yeah, I like that. So, when we do the one-year perio program, they may have coverage, but we don't want to depend on their coverage for those visits because, you

know, when you have to have $200 at an office visit and you don't you have a family of five. >> Yeah. >> $200 is a lot of money. >> It is a lot. So here they're able to pay that 200 through BoomCloud but in weekly payments, monthly payment. So they're not going to cancel. >> Yeah. >> And they're still going to get reimbursed from their insurance. >> Yeah. That's fantastic. I love it. So, I just want to offer every way to patients that can make their

treatment benefit them because I mean, we know that people that have um oral systemic infections, it's like having um bronchitis. >> Uhhuh. >> So, you need to think about if you went to a medical doctor, you would never come home and kiss your family hello. [laughter] just got diagnosed with >> Yeah. >> So the strain of bacteria in our oral cavity is that strong >> and bronchitis will turn into pneumonia. >> Yeah. >> And pneumonia could kill you. >> It can. Yes. >> Especially if you

have a compromised system as it is. >> Yeah. My in fact my wife's cousin died uh because of he he got pneumonia and he died in the hospital. Right. because it got crazy. So, I agree. You know, everything's connected and and as practitioners, we should be, you know, I I say we, but I'm not a practitioner, but as practitioners, right, you should keep an eye on those things and help the patient. And sometimes you can use medical billing to help out with that. >> Absolutely. And

it's not about, again, I do not advocate being in network with insurance. >> Uhhuh. >> It's a choice. >> Yeah. Absolutely. It is a choice >> by the medical provider >> whoever that may be. It is about giving patients options to be able to have the treatment. >> Yeah, I agree. >> That's all it's about. >> That's pretty >> out for me. >> Yeah. No, I love that. I love that mindset that you have with that and you're you're helping practices, you know, make some more

money and also helping the patients get the treatment that they deserve and need. Right. So Christine, I'm excited to be a part of this event and uh I want you to share with our audience here uh when are you doing the event? Where is it at again and all the details? >> October 17th and 18th. >> Okay. >> It's at the Palm Resort in Las Vegas. >> Is that the same resort you did it to at last time? >> No, it's it's actually uh another re

we went to one that was the MGM redone. >> That's right. That's right. >> Brand new. This one's brand new this year. I'm in the news. >> Wow. >> And it's a little bit more on the strip. So, >> um it's around a lot of things. And we are working on getting some discounts for shows. >> Sure. >> Through the hotel that'll be on the site, so people should see it. >> And I just actually got an email saying our early bird discount ended today. So,

I'm going to offer your audience a special discount. >> Oh, fantastic. >> We like that. We like that. >> You like that? That's because you and I work together so much. Yeah. >> And I want you and your audience to be able to benefit from it. So, they can use the code, >> are you ready? Discount code for the extravaganza. the number two. >> N D I N S. >> Perfect. >> And if that doesn't work, you're free to call me and yell at me. [laughter]

>> All right. I'll let them know. We'll let everyone know, you know, if it doesn't work, call and yell at Christine. >> That's it. >> That's fantastic day. [laughter] >> Fantastic. So, October 17th through the 18th, um >> 17th and 18th. 17th 18th in Las Vegas. Again, um where where can they go to register their um for the tickets? >> Go to www. dental medical billing.com, which is the website I gave before. >> Yep. >> And they're able to register right on there and it will

link them directly to the website where all the courses listed. Oh, and I forgot we have a special surprise this year. Oh, what is it? >> We have a a twoday hygiene track. >> Oh, cool. >> Because of all the changes in hygiene that are coming out this year, all the staging had a diagnosis changing all everything is changing in it. So we decided and she's going to be teaching hygiene to all our hygienists. So when the >> that's awesome >> team wants to bill it

to the medical they understand what they need to give the team. >> That's fantastic. >> Yeah. So we're really excited about that. >> Awesome. So everyone go to dentalmedbilling.com um check out the course. Make sure you mark your calendars that that uh Christine's event insurance extravaganza is going to be during that time. Go register, use the pro promo code that Christine uh gave you guys on the podcast. Um I I will be there. I'm excited to see everyone there and hang out with you, Christine, and

and have a fun time at the event. So any any final words to our audience? I just I wish you all the the the best in the world and if anybody has a claim that or an emergency that comes in and they need help, they can get me through dental medical billing. >> Awesome. Perfect. That's >> that's the best site to go get your get your get in contact with you. Perfect. >> Awesome, Christine. Well, I appreciate you coming on the show and hanging out with

me today. I'm so happy to be here. >> Yeah. And I'm I'm super excited for your event in October. And uh we hope everyone listening has an awesome day. >> Yes. Thank you everybody. >> All right. Rock and roll.