|
Delta Dental Covers New Oral Cancer Test
With all of the advancements in technology, there are more tests available than ever before to help diagnose and treat disease in its earliest stages. For instance, a new procedure called a "brush biopsy" has been developed to detect early stages of oral cancer.
If a dentist notices a suspicious red or white spot inside a patient's mouth during a routine exam, s/he can perform the brush biopsy and send the tissue to a lab for testing. If the test comes back positive for oral cancer, then treatment options can be discussed.
The development of this technology is significant for the following reasons:
- Over 30,000 new cases of oral cancer are diagnosed annually.
- More than 8,000 people die each year of oral cancer in the U.S.
- It is estimated that the 5-year survival rate will improve from 57%
to 80% or more with early detection of oral cancer.
Delta Dental of New Jersey recently approved coverage for brush biopsies under all of their plans. The charge for the brush biopsy will be covered according to the "oral surgery" benefit, which will likely be some percentage of the fee.
The laboratory charges, however, will not be covered under the Delta Dental plan. There is a possibility that your medical plan may pay for these charges. Payment will depend on whether or not the laboratory is contracting with your medical carrier. If not, a claim could be submitted under the out-of-network benefit, if applicable, but charges would be subject to the deductible and coinsurance.
Our Benefit Service Specialists welcome your questions about the new benefit available through Delta Dental. Please just give us a call if you would like more detail. |
