08/02/2016

Letter from President Dornauer - August

Our Executive Council met on Sunday morning July 24, 2016. Although the minutes are always available for your review, I wanted to highlight some important issues that you should consider as they could impact your practice of our specialty.

First, the Ohio Pharmacy Board appears determined to force us into obtaining a TDDD license and be subject to another regulatory body, the Pharmacy Board, for simple reconstitution of medications according to manufacturer guidelines.  Despite letters from the ODA and OSOMS, the Pharmacy Board wants to proceed with new rules which affect us.  I have responded to them and encourage you to do so as well by August 5, 2016 at http://www.pharmacy.ohio.gov/LawsRules/ProposedRules.aspx.  Mr. Kamdar, Director of the Ohio Dental Board, has taken proactive steps to form a workgroup to discuss implementation with the Pharmacy Board.  Drs. Job and Wallace will serve on the workgroup.  We are trying to make our points and express our need for clarity when rules affect us.  The present TDDD expansion issue (SB 319) appears to be an overreach by the Pharmacy Board.

Another issue is Delta Dental Insurance Company’s efforts to become a CMS- compliant network. If you are a Delta Dental provider, and you elect to “Opt-Out” of Medicare, you will not be able to receive reimbursement for services rendered under a Medicare Advantage contract and will not be able to participate as a Delta Dental provider. Look for similar amendments to other participating provider agreements.  If you participate with Medicare, be sure you understand which services you provide are covered by Medicare.

Our Delegates will meet at the AAOMS Annual Meeting.  If you have any concerns about issues affecting AAOMS, including our marketing campaign, be sure to contact our delegates:  Dave Morrison, Brad Gregory, or Eric Evans.  You may also contact our alternate delegates:  Fasil Quereshy, Greg Ness, or Mike Lee.   If you do not have any of them in your contact list, link here for their contact information.   

In closing, please take time from your busy schedule to enjoy our beautiful summer. It always flies by too quickly.

Sincerely,

Robert J. Dornauer, MS, DDS
President of OSOMS 2016-2017