Various U.S. states have passed legislation requiring participating providers to comply with state-required appointment availability and after-hours standards. Please see the requirements for the states shown below.
The state regulator requires California dental plans to remind contracted providers to meet specific appointment availability standards. The following chart is a reminder to help your practice meet the plan standards for Dental Benefit Providers of California, Inc. (DBP CA) dental care professionals:
| Patient’s dental care needs | Required availability timeline |
|---|---|
| Initial appointment | Within 14 business days |
| Existing patient visits | Within 14 business days |
| Routine hygiene visits | Within 14 business days |
| Emergency appointment | Within 24 hours |
| Urgent appointment | Within 72 hours |
| In-office waiting time | No more than 30 minutes |
According to state regulations, you’re required to relay emergency information to patients needing care during non-office hours. The instructions must inform callers how to:
You’re required to have an answering machine, answering service or cell phone available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with after-hours emergency contact information or instructions. The after-hours message must instruct callers on how to obtain services after business hours and on weekends, particularly in the event of a dental emergency.
The state regulator requires us to conduct an annual survey of the appointment timeline for all contracted dental professionals in our network. We use the survey results to inform new and existing patients of provider availability. Please watch for our upcoming survey request. Your timely response is greatly appreciated.
The state regulator requires Texas dental plans to remind contracted providers of specific appointment availability standards. The following chart is a reminder to help your practice meet those standards:
| Patient’s dental care needs | Required availability timeline |
|---|---|
| Initial appointment | 3 calendar weeks |
| Existing patient visits | 6 calendar weeks |
| Routine hygiene visits | 16 calendar weeks |
| Emergency appointment | Within 24 hours |
| Wait time in reception area | 30 minutes or less |
| Wait time in operatory | 15 minutes or less |
According to state regulations, you’re required to have an answering machine, answering service or cell phone available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week with after-hours emergency contact information or instructions. The after-hours message must instruct callers on how to obtain services after business hours and on weekends, particularly in the event of a dental emergency.
National Pacific Dental, Inc. is required by the state to conduct an annual survey of the appointment timeline for all contracted dental professionals in our network. We use the survey results to inform new and existing patients of provider availability. Please watch for our upcoming survey request. Your timely response is greatly appreciated.
The Connecticut state regulator requires dental professionals in preferred provider organization (PPO) plans to meet the following appointment availability standards:
| Patient’s dental care needs | Required availability timeline |
|---|---|
| Urgent appointment | Within 48 hours |
| Non-urgent appointments for primary care (general dentist) | Within 10 business days |
| Non-urgent appointments for specialist care | Within 15 business days |
You’re required to use an answering service or a telephone answering machine during non-office hours to relay emergency information to plan enrollees needing care during non-office hours. The instructions must inform callers how to:
As part of the state regulation, we’re required to conduct a random survey of dental professionals in our network to ensure the after-hours standards are being met. If you receive the survey request, your timely response is greatly appreciated.
The Maryland state regulator requires dental professionals in preferred provider organization (PPO) plans to meet the following appointment availability standards:
| Patient’s dental care needs | Required availability timeline |
|---|---|
| Urgent appointment | Within 3 calendar days |
| Non-urgent appointments for primary care (general dentist) | Within 45 calendar days |
| Non-urgent appointments for specialist care | Within 60 calendar days |
You’re required to use an answering service or a telephone answering machine during non-office hours to relay emergency information to plan enrollees needing care during non-office hours. The instructions must inform callers how to:
As part of the state regulation, we’re required to conduct a random survey of dental professionals in our network to ensure the after-hours standards are being met. If you receive the survey request, your timely response is greatly appreciated.