Pandemic Relief Credit will provide close to $15 million in the form of a premium holiday for clients; dental providers will receive $2.9 million to help with COVID-19 expenses.
Delta Dental of Arkansas (Delta Dental) is providing financial assistance to its business clients and network dental professionals as Arkansans continue to feel the impact of COVID-19 on their businesses. The Pandemic Relief Credit gives a credit in the amount equal to 100 percent of the monthly premium billed to Delta Dental’s commercial business clients with dental and/or vision insurance. According to the company, this premium “holiday” amounts to almost $15 million in credits to over 4,000 Arkansas business clients.
No action is required from Delta Dental practitioners. Fully insured and self-insured business customers will see the Pandemic Relief Credit on their July 2020 bill. The bill for July premiums will be $0. However, any outstanding premiums or adjustments for months prior to July or after billing cutoff will be applicable.
“We understand our customers are facing tremendous challenges and want to help them with a premium credit,” says president and chief executive officer, Ed Choate. “Delta Dental of Arkansas provides dental and vision insurance to over 4,000 Arkansas businesses and more than 800,000 Arkansans. With dental and vision offices closed except for emergencies, our members have not been able to get the care they normally receive. This premium credit is one of many ways we’re working to financially help our customers and communities during this unprecedented time.”
In addition to the Pandemic Relief Credit, Delta Dental is also helping network dental practices by making $2.9 million in grants available to dental providers as their offices began re-opening May 11. These grants are designed to help dental practitioners offset additional expenses incurred as a result of the Phase I COVID-19 guidelines from the Arkansas Department of Health. These guidelines require increased use of personal protection equipment (PPE) and additional cleaning and disinfecting of all dental treatment rooms.
Every active licensed doctor with a practice located in Arkansas who is part of a Delta Dental network can request a $2,500 grant by completing a brief online form that can be found at the Delta Dental website. The practitioner will need to assign the grant to a dental practice entity (by Tax I.D. number).
Dental professionals can begin applying immediately, and the application period will run from May 13 to June 1, 2020. Grant applications will be reviewed as received with checks being mailed directly to qualifying practitioners.
