AAE Advocacy Action Center
We did it! The Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act Cleared Both Houses of Congress!
Since the AAE’s Advocacy Action Center launched last year, members sent Congress over 1,037 letters!
Thanks in part to your work - the U.S. Senate passed the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act on December 22, 2020. The House of Representatives passed the bill in September, and the measure awaits the President’s signature.
Thank you also to the sponsoring legislators, the ADA, and other organizations for their tremendous work!
TAKE ACTION ON MEDICARE DENTAL BENEFITS:
Take Action! Urge Lawmakers to Oppose the Expansion of Medicare Part B
Recently, Congress advanced a budget resolution to include dental care, vision, and hearing in Part B of the Medicare program.
The proposal lumps dental care in Medicare Part B and places such care in a physician-focused model that doesn’t take into consideration the differences between physician offices and dental offices. Including dental care in Part B also places undue burden on dentists by requiring them to comply with regulations designed for the medical care system. Significant administrative, technical and programmatic requirements and inadequate reimbursement would likely deter dentists from joining a network based on this model.
As the bill works its way through the legislative process, endodontists need to make their voices heard to ensure the proposal includes specific framework for how the new benefits consider endodontists and the low-income seniors they treat.
Contact your lawmakers today and urge them to create a new part of Medicare that will better serve dentists and their patients.
Take Action on Redi Act:
Urge your members of Congress to support H.R. 4122, The Resident Education Deferred Interest (REDI) Act
The U.S. House is reconsidering a measure to amend the Higher Education Act of 1965 to provide for interest-free deferment on student loans for borrowers serving in a medical or dental internship or residency program.
Take Action on PPE:
Urge Your Governor to Recognize Endodontists as Essential Emergency Healthcare Providers
The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) urges your Department of Health to recognize endodontists as essential emergency health care providers for distribution of necessary N95 masks and other personal protective equipment (PPE), for the following reasons:
- Endodontists treat dental emergencies that become life-threatening if untreated;
- Endodontists engage in emergency care in high aerosol environments; and
- Endodontists mitigate the burden on medical and hospital emergency departments.
Take Action on COVID-19 Aid:
Urge Congress to Support Endodontists In COVID-19 Relief Packages
The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) Urges members to contact Congress and urge them to support endodontists in the next COVID-19 relief package of legislation.
- Accelerate the production and distribution of PPE, especially N95 masks, to endodontists who are on the frontlines treating dental emergencies and helping to mitigate overwhelming hospital systems with oral health issues.
- Provide relief for practitioners whose business interruption insurance does not cover viral pandemics.
- Allow for use of PPP funds to purchase PPE and make safety improvements to endodontic offices.
- Provide liability protections for providers who administer FDA-authorized COVID-19 diagnostic tests within their scope of practice until the end of 2020.
AAE Advocacy News
AAE Represents Endodontists at June Dental Quality Alliance Meeting
As a part of the AAE's ongoing advocacy efforts, Dr. Beth Ann Damas and Association staff joined the Dental Quality Alliance (DQA) for their biannual meeting on June 3, 2022. Developed by the ADA, the DQA works to advance performance measurement to improve oral health, patient care and safety through a consensus-building process.
AAE Provides Update How No Surprises Act May Affect Endodontists
The No Surprises Act (NSA) and subsequent regulations launched on January 1, 2022 have established federal protections that mitigate the financial burden on consumers when health plans deny care provided by providers that have not contracted (i.e., “non- participating”, “out of network”) to accept discounted payment rates from the health plan.
AAE Members and Stakeholders visit Capitol to Advocate for Dentistry
On March 20-21, 2022, AAE members and Association stakeholders participated in the American Dental Association’s (ADA) and the American Dental Student Association’s (ADSA) ADA Dentist and Student Lobby Day in Washington D.C.
Defining Advocacy Through Successful Representation
The AAE heard the voice of its members in developing its 2017-2020 AAE Strategic Plan. The plan laid the groundwork for the Worth Saving campaign, the white papers on treatment standards and endodontic competency, and embraced advocacy for the profession and the professional. The Association is fighting for the endodontic specialty and the champion of endodontics and patient care.
This page helps keep members and patients updated about the work the AAE is doing on their behalf to strengthen the specialty field. To help keep members up to date about the latest work the AAE is doing on their behalf, the Association also created The AAE Advocate.
AAE's Online Newsletter: The AAE Advocate
This publication helps keep you up to date about the work the AAE is doing on your behalf to strengthen the specialty, help members stay informed about legislation, and other important developments.
Past Editions:
First Edition, Second Edition, Third Edition,
Fourth Edition, Fifth Edition, Sixth Edition,
Seventh Edition, Eighth Edition,
Ninth Edition,Tenth Edition
AAE Sends Letter in Support of New Bill Introducing PPE Tax Credit Legislation
The AAE has joined the Organized Dentistry Coalition in support of H.R. 7216, Congress's new PPE tax credit bill. This measure could provide a tax credit of up to $25,000 for PPE costs for small businesses. This includes gloves and masks but also any retrofitting costs or equipment purchased to mitigate exposure to COVID-19.
Congress Passes The Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act
This measure builds upon previous COVID-19 relief efforts and may help endodontists in their practice’s recovery by providing more flexible re-payment options for borrowers who have used or intend to use Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans.
New Legislation Replenishes COVID-19 Loans and Grants for Small Businesses
On April 21, 2021, the U.S. Senate passed legislation to replenish depleted funds to help business during the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, the legislation adds $370 billion to the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL), including the grants for EIDL applicants.
Holding Insurance Companies Accountable
Dental insurance companies have enjoyed an exemption from federal antitrust laws for over 70 years. Legislation introduced in 2019 could change that.
Standing Firm in the Specialty Advertising Debate
It is the position of the AAE that regulating dental specialty advertising protects the public and therefore should be undertaken by state boards of dentistry.
AAE Promotes a Single Standard of Care
The AAE meets with the dental directors of insurers every other year to present an update on the current state of endodontics and to advocate for our members and patients on areas of concern related to insurers and endodontic coding.
Key Issues for AAE Advocacy
Reimbursement - Insurance and Coding
The AAE believes all patients deserve access to quality, affordable dental benefit coverage, and it is dedicated to working with policymakers, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders to increase access and improve the way dental care is financed and managed.
- Dental Claims and Coding
- Dental Plan Contracting
- Dental Plans & Government Outreach
- Access to Care
- Other Resources
Raise Awareness about Reimbursement - Insurance and Coding ↑
Excellence in Endodontics
To ensure that patients get the best possible care, the AAE promotes endodontic competency, and a single standard of practice implemented by practitioners. This includes ensuring that both new pre-doc graduates and experienced general dentists understand their own abilities and when to refer for the best interest of the patient.
Specialty Rights - Status and Scope
The AAE fights to support the value that the advanced education and experience of an endodontist brings to patient care. In that vein, the AAE fights to protect patients from providers that misrepresent themselves as specialists or lack the proper credentialing.
Corporate Dentistry
The AAE supports the ability of all endodontists – regardless of practice type – to practice competitively and for the best interest of patients.
Student Debt
The AAE recognizes the burden that student debt can play in the ability of new graduates to make practice decisions, including the ability to practice in underserved areas. It fights for responsible student loan reform and student debt relief.
Guardians of Public Oral Health
The AAE champions policies that promote good oral health, access to quality affordable care and works to enable endodontists to achieve the best patient outcomes. We support for the Responsible Additions and Increases to Sustain Employee (RAISE) Health Benefits Act of 2019. Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) allow consumers to set aside pretax dollars to pay for healthcare services like dental.
AAE Position Statements
The AAE offers a variety of clinical resources including publications, guidelines, position statements and treatment planning resources reflecting the latest research, techniques and technologies in endodontics. These tools and statements are valuable references to support the highest standards of patient care.
