News and Views

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Fall 2024 Newsletter

Tuesday, October 15, 2024 | Posted in GEHA Connection Dental Network Provider Newsletter

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Join the Key Influencer Panel and put your ideas into action

You are invited to participate in a unique opportunity to directly influence the evolution of policy, procedures and interactions for the GEHA Connection Dental Network. We hope you recognize how important you are to us and consider joining this elite group of highly qualified professionals who will help shape how we can work together to improve the GEHA Connection Dental Network provider experience.
Interested in joining?
Scan the QR code or visit geha.com/Panel

Features of the IVR (Interactive Voice Response) system

We have automated features to make verifying your provider information quick and easy. Access the features below through our IVR system, after following the requested phone prompts:

• Fee schedule fax back
• Location effective date
• Initial application status

The IVR system is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 800.505.8880 and follow the provider validation prompt.

GEHA Code of Ethical Business Conduct

As part of our GEHA Compliance Program, all contracted entities that perform administrative or health care services must review the GEHA Code of Ethical Business Conduct. This review is mandatory and must be completed when the partnership with GEHA starts during the initial application process — and annually independently thereafter. To access, please visit connectiondental.com and select Resource Center. Under Resource Links, select GEHA Code of Ethical Business Conduct and read the documents. No other action is needed. If you have any questions regarding this request, contact GEHA Connection Dental Network at 800.505.8880, option 4. We appreciate your participation in the GEHA Connection Dental Network.

UMKC School of Dentistry partnership with GEHA Solutions receives STEM award

This article was originally published by the UMKC School of Dentistry on umkc.edu.

The University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC) School of Dentistry and GEHA Solutions this summer received the 2024 Inspiring Programs in STEM award from Insight Into Diversity magazine, the largest and oldest diversity and inclusion publication in higher education. The award honors colleges and universities that encourage and assist students from a broad spectrum of diverse backgrounds to enter the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).

According to Dean Steven Haas, D.M.D, J.D., MBA, the school is grateful for the acknowledgement of their efforts to broaden the pathway into oral health careers.

“There is an immense benefit as a patient to receiving care from dental providers who understand and resonate with their background,” Haas said. “This recognition is a testament to the dedication of the School of Dentistry community and our invaluable partners, such as GEHA Solutions, who exemplify impactful community engagement. We hope this inspires others to participate in similar initiatives.”

The oral health equity partnership between GEHA Solutions and the UMKC School of Dentistry began in 2022 with the company’s investment of $150,000. Over the course of the three-year partnership, GEHA Solutions has provided $590,000 to the school to support disadvantaged students who have a commitment to oral health equity, especially among dentally underserved communities.

The funds established 15 annual fellowships that provide stipends for students participating in the UMKC pathway program, Students Training in Academia, Health and Research (STAHR) Scholars program. Since 2022, the funds have enabled recipients to focus on test prep and enhancement of their qualifications as dental school applicants. The partnership also established 37 one-time scholarships and 35 fellowships from 2022–2024 to support and attract incoming dental hygiene and dental students.

STAHR Scholars is an innovative summer program intended to develop competitive health professions applicants. Established in 2018, the program is a collaboration between the UMKC schools of medicine, dentistry and pharmacy designed to increase representation in health care fields from a broad spectrum of backgrounds.

Jenna Mills, vice president at GEHA Solutions, has seen first-hand the guidance, support and mentorship the STAHR program provides these students, setting them up to reach their full potential.

“I’ve had the great pleasure to meet STAHR fellows as well as dental and dental hygiene students, learning of their backgrounds and the obstacles they have overcome to be ready to enter and succeed in dental school,” Mills said. “To say I am impressed is an understatement. Our oral health delivery system will benefit from having such a talented and diverse group of individuals in the coming years.”

This is the second time the UMKC School of Dentistry has been recognized by Insight Into Diversity magazine, having received the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity award for health professions schools in 2016. The UMKC School of Medicine, a participating partner in the STAHR program, received the same award in 2022 and 2023. UMKC received the award in 2019.

In 2023, the GEHA Solutions/UMKC School of Dentistry partnership also received the Gold American Business Award for Corporate Social Responsibility Program of the Year for companies up to 2,500 employees, along with the Bronze Achievement in Corporate Social Responsibility Award for companies of all sizes.

According to Lenore Pearlstein, owner and publisher of Insight Into Diversity magazine, many STEM programs are not always recognized for their dedication to encouraging students from a broad spectrum of backgrounds to pursue these fields.

“We want to honor the schools and organizations that have created programs that inspire and encourage young people who may currently be in or are interested in a future career in STEM,” Pearlstein said. “We are proud to honor these programs as role models to other institutions of higher education and beyond.”

Adds/Changes to provider and office information

Provider adds or terms and any office changes such as email addresses, office hours, phone numbers or tax ID updates can be made by completing a Provider Address Add/Change Form located on connectiondental.com. Choose the Provider Forms section on the Resource Center and navigate to Page 2. You may also request changes on your provider dashboard once you are signed in to the Provider Portal at connectiondental.com. For questions regarding your dashboard, please contact 800.505.8880, option 4.

Complete General Compliance and Fraud, Waste and Abuse training

All offices need to complete the General Compliance and Fraud, Waste and Abuse training by December 31, 2024. All tasks can be completed within the Provider Portal at connectiondental.com. After logging in to the portal, providers will receive a prompt to complete required training.

Provider education: Payor list

We would like to inform you of recent changes regarding access to the Payor List on the Connection Dental website. The Payor List is updated on a monthly basis.

TO REVIEW THE LATEST PAYOR LIST:

Step 1: Log in to your account at connectiondental.com. If you do not have an account, choose “Register” and complete the registration process. If you have previously registered but did not enter your Provider ID number, please follow these additional steps:

•Go to Manage Account > Profile Information > Provider ID Number (if you need your Provider ID, please call).

•Enter your Provider ID number and choose Submit. The dashboard should display. If it does not, refresh the page.

Step 2: Once logged in, click on Network Information. You will see a drop-down box with “Connection Dental Network Payor List.” Click on this option, and the Payor List will be downloaded.

If you prefer not to log in, you can call 800.505.8880, option 3, to request a copy of the latest Payor List.

What’s New

Be sure to check out the “What’s New References” category in the Resources section of the Resource Center at connectiondental.com. Stay up-to-date on new and revised payor notices, provider manuals and state-specific policies and procedures. We encourage you to check out the Resource Center on a regular basis to see updates as they occur.

Here is a recap of the new or updated documents important to you as a GEHA Connection Dental Network provider:

• IL State Specific Policy and Procedure (Updated June 20, 2024)
• WV State Specific Policy and Procedure (Updated June 24, 2024)

Medicare Advantage payor announcement

Did you know some GEHA Connection Dental Network payors offer Medicare Advantage plans in addition to commercial plans? Please contact the payor directly for benefits and confirm participation through your Connection Dental Network contract.

CMS Quarterly and Directory Update verifications

Connection Dental Network has policies and procedures in place to ensure we have the most current directory information available for our providers. However, we need your help. Keeping this information up-to-date is important to equip patients with accurate information. This will also ensure new patients are able to locate participating providers. Let’s help each other ensure our directories are current!

The CMS quarterly verification for Medicare Advantage is sent to all providers in all states. The Directory State verification must be completed by providers for network compliance on a quarterly, bi-annual or annual basis. Review the list below to see if the state you practice in is on the list. CMS quarterly verifications can be completed on the provider portal, or returned by mail, email or fax. Directory State verifications must be returned by mail, email or fax.

• Annual: CT, GA, HI, LA, MA, ME, NC, ND, NH, NJ, NM, OR
• Bi-annual: CA, WV
• Quarterly: CO, OH, TX

Update your email address

As we move towards more electronic correspondence, please make sure your email address is up to date! You may update your email at connectiondental.com or call 800.505.8880, option 4.

Stay informed with News & Views

News & Views is the place to find the latest news and information in the world of dentistry. For stories and more, visit connectiondental.com/News

Thank you for your participation in the GEHA Connection Dental Network and the quality of care you provide to our members.

01 Join the Key Influencer Panel
Features of the IVR system
GEHA Code of Ethical Business Conduct
02 UMKC School of Dentistry partnership with GEHA receives STEM award
04 Adds/changes to provider and office information
Complete Fraud, Waste and Abuse training
05 Provider education: Payor list, What’s new
06 Medicare Advantage Payor announcement
CMS quarterly and directory update verifications

GEHA Connection Dental Network
connectiondental.com
connection.dentalweb@geha.com
800.505.8880

Connection Dental® Plus
geha.com/CDPlus
800.793.9335

GEHA Connection Dental Federal® (FEDVIP)
geha.com
877.434.2336