Open Dental’s Verification List

Mastering Insurance Verification: Using Open Dental’s Verification List

For dental practices, one of the easiest ways to avoid billing surprises and give patients clear cost estimates is by staying ahead of insurance verification. Open Dental’s Verification List helps you confirm plan benefits and patient eligibility quickly and efficiently—so there are no last-minute headaches for you or your patients.

At SKF Practice Solutions, we follow a proactive system that keeps this process simple, organized, and stress-free. By breaking verification into manageable steps, you can keep patient information accurate, reduce unexpected costs, and streamline your billing process.

Let’s dive into how you can make Open Dental’s Verification List work for you.

Why Insurance Verification Matters

Patients want to know what they owe—no surprises. Verifying insurance details before their appointments helps you provide clear, accurate estimates and ensures everything runs smoothly on appointment day.

Here’s what you gain when you verify in advance:

• Accurate Billing: Less chance of unpaid claims, follow-up calls, or surprise adjustments.

• Efficient Scheduling: Patients and providers can move forward with confidence.

• Patient Trust: Proactive verification shows patients you’re looking out for their best interests, building trust and loyalty.

Best Practices for Using the Verification List

We break this process into three simple timelines:

1. Review the Schedule 7 Days Out
Every week, look ahead at the schedule for the next 7 days. Use the Verification List to confirm benefits, eligibility, and any missing details. This gives you plenty of time to update information or reach out to patients if needed.

2. Check Plan Benefits Every 365 Days
Track benefits annually to help patients maximize their coverage. This is especially helpful for treatments spaced across plan years—like crowns or larger procedures. By staying ahead, you can help patients plan care without hitting their annual maximums too soon.

3. Confirm Eligibility Every 90 Days
Patient eligibility can change frequently, especially if someone switches plans or coverage updates mid-year. A quick check every 90 days ensures coverage is active, so there are no surprises when it’s time to bill.

Tips to Make the Verification List Work for You

• Assign a Specialist: Put one team member in charge of managing the Verification List. Having a go-to person keeps things consistent, efficient, and less prone to errors. They can delegate tasks as needed, ensuring the process runs smoothly without bottlenecks.

• Use Statuses and Notes: Open Dental’s verification statuses and notes are game-changers for team communication. A quick note about what’s been checked or what’s missing keeps everyone on the same page.

• Be Proactive: Missing information? Don’t wait—reach out! A quick call or email to the patient can save time (and headaches) down the road. Plus, most patients appreciate the heads-up.

The Bottom Line

Using Open Dental’s Verification List keeps your practice proactive, organized, and efficient. By following these simple best practices—7-day schedule reviews, 365-day benefit checks, and 90-day eligibility confirmations—you’ll eliminate billing surprises, improve patient satisfaction, and keep your workflow smooth.

A little planning goes a long way. When patients walk in knowing their costs and coverage, it builds trust and confidence in your practice.

Ready to simplify insurance verification? Start small, stay consistent, and watch how much easier your billing process becomes!