Council on Orthodontic Health Care
Dr. Dean Jensen
The Council on Orthodontic Health Care (COHC) met by conference call on January 7th, 2004. A report was given regarding recent American Dental Association code changes which did not directly impact the specialty of orthodontics. Much of the time was spent during the conference call on the topic of dental direct reimbursement and the AAOTPA plans, with information provided by Dr. Mel DeSoto, Trustee liaison. Mr. Chuck Brightwell, who had headed the AAOTPA plans, resigned in 2003 to pursue other interests. Dr. DeSoto reported that the AAOTPA’s gross revenues were $280,000 for the year. Original projections were approximately $400,000. The current gross revenues of the AAOTPA do not currently cover the expenses for its operation and will incur a loss again this fiscal year. The direct reimbursement program currently has an outstanding loan to the American Association of Orthodontists for 1.9 million dollars, and the AAO Board of Trustees, along with Chris Vranas, will be meeting with business consultants to look at the tax and financial implications of the outstanding loan and financial options for future management of the AAOTPA.
The Council on Orthodontic Health Care remains very bullish on the DR plan. The Council on Orthodontic Health Care is currently serving purely as an advisory role to the AAOSI, but recognizes the importance of running the DBAS program as a business and looks forward to hearing from the Trustees and staff what their recommendations are for the future of the TPA and the DR program.