What you can do:

At the Centre for Dentistry, we have taken a hard stand against managed care since its inception. We have worked diligently to educate our patients to the pitfalls of a system that allows the insurance carrier to dictate care.

Everyone knows that insurance companies are in business to make (lots of) money. They have never made as much money as they are making under managed care. At who's expense? The health care provider, and the patient.

There is a backlash coming. Employees are going to resent the fact that the level of care they are entitled to is no better than that of a Medicaid recipient. Physicians are going to be sued at record rates because they are not treating patients to their best ability, but rather are governed by their bottom lines.

As you are probably aware, or have seen from the information on our Web site, dentistry has come a long way in the past 20-30 years. Managed care seeks to turn back the calendar to 1955. There will be little to gain (for the practitioner) to help patients keep their teeth. Reimbursements are the same under managed care, whether you perform just the most cursory of exams and cleanings, or perform extensive dentistry.

Dentistry did not need cost-containment by the insurance industry. Insured patients were always limited in terms of annual maximums, co-pays (often substantial for major treatment), and deductibles. The dental profession, unlike our medical colleagues, recognized that the costs involved in lowering our standards of care were far greater than dollars and cents. Dr. Markus continues to work hard to educate patients on the options that they have when seeking dental care.

What can you do?

• Let your employers know that you do not want your freedom of choice taken away from you when it comes to dentistry.
• Let your coworkers know that you get what you pay for, and managed care is the least expensive type of health insurance there is.

Be aware that many states have laws which require employers to offer alternatives to managed care. In New Jersey, any business with more than 25 employees are so required.