ADA Pushes Back Against Delta Dental’s New Paper Check Fee
The American Dental Association is urging regulators to protect dentists’ right to choose how they receive insurance reimbursements after Delta Dental of California announced a new fee for paper check payments.
A new payment policy from Delta Dental of California has sparked strong opposition from the American Dental Association (ADA), raising broader concerns about provider choice and the growing administrative burden placed on dental practices. The insurer recently announced it will assess a $15 weekly administrative fee for dentists who choose to receive claim reimbursements by paper check rather than electronic funds transfer (EFT).
The ADA argues that reimbursement methods should remain the provider’s choice, not the payer’s. While electronic payments may streamline processing for insurers, many dental practices, particularly small and independent offices, have established financial workflows that rely on paper checks or have legitimate reasons for avoiding mandatory EFT.
Beyond the financial impact, the ADA warns that requiring providers to change payment methods through added fees shifts administrative costs from insurers to dental practices. Those costs ultimately consume staff time, increase overhead, and divert valuable resources away from patient care.
The issue extends beyond a single insurer. The ADA also notes that other carriers are reducing or eliminating paper check reimbursement options, signaling a broader industry trend that could affect dentists nationwide. In response, the ADA is encouraging dentists to contact Delta Dental with their concerns, notify their state insurance commissioners, and work with their state dental associations to support legislation protecting payment choice and prohibiting fees tied to reimbursement methods. Click here to read more.
