PAGD Keystone Explorer Spring 2021

| executive director’s message Advocacy Update Steve Neidlinger, CAE There’s really not much going on in capitol buildings these days, the occasional coup d’etat notwithstanding. But much like the first crocus emerging from the unfrozen ground reaching for that first glimpse of sun, or the robin redbreast frustrated with scraps of winter finding that first juicy worm to feed the family, so too are legislative aides reaching out to the Chief Clerk’s office with legislation in hand, looking for that warm feeling of cosponsorship. Pennsylvania legislation works similarly to Monopoly insofar that if you don’t get it passed in this two-year term, you have to go back to start all over again at the legislative equivalent of Mediterranean Avenue. So most of the bills that PAGD is seeing introduced are retreads from the 2019/20 session. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t some new issues with a spicy post-shutdown flavor that will work their way onto our delicate palates. Here’s what we have seen and expect to see so far: Balance Billing – There is a constant stirring on both the Republican and Democratic sides of the aisle regarding balance billing. Anyone who has ever had the misfortune of a ride in an ambulance or a sudden surgery can attest to seeing an eye-popping number on your Explanation of Benefits. Well, imagine getting that number on your bill from the hospital. What’s the first thing you do? Call your Senator. The prohibition against balance billing for uninsured services has long been a prominent constituent complaint in the past, deservedly so as it has led to many a personal bankruptcy and financial ruin. The most egregious cases are found in emergency services, but that doesn’t mean dentists won’t get added to the stew. Many trees will needlessly perish to necessitate the paper required for the myriad bills that get printed on this subject. Keen eyes will be reviewing each of these bills to see if their specialty or profession will get roped in. Telemedicine/Teledentistry – Telemedicine has been on the legislative agenda for years now but has always been bogged down by valence issues that are at best a third cousin to telemedicine. The cacophony of 2020 has cast a light on telemedicine and teledentistry. Many providers and insurers are already offering the service in whatever manner they feel would work best. That maddening inconsistency is forcing legislators and regulators to take notice. PAGD’s Advocacy Committee, with the help of AGD’s Government Relations Department, has already reviewed and commented on dentistry-specific legislation on the subject. The goal is to ensure that teledentistry is an alternative that can be employed by smart Pennsylvania practitioners to minimize unnecessary patient contact, without providing an avenue for out-of-state docs to hock their wares, or purporting the illusion that teledentistry is on the same quality level of wet-finger dentistry. “Pennsylvania legislation works similarly to Monopoly insofar that if you don’t get it passed in this two-year term, you have to go back to start all over again at the legislative equivalent of Mediterranean Avenue.” 4 www.pagd.org