Superior Direct Connect
Feedback
Dental benefits carrier becomes wholly owned subsidiary of health insurance provider
Medical Mutual of Ohio has acquired Superior Dental Care (SDC), a dental benefits carrier headquartered in the Dayton area. SDC, which offers more than 14,000 dental network access points in Ohio and 650,000 across the United States, will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary of Medical Mutual.
“SDC couldn’t pass up this amazing opportunity to join with a fellow leader in the insurance industry,” said SDC Chief Executive Officer Traci Harrell. “We are both Ohio companies with strong commitments to serving our members and investing in our communities. It made sense for us to work together.”
At this time, Medical Mutual and SDC will operate as separate companies. SDC will continue to sell standalone dental benefits throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana as Superior Dental Care. There will be no immediate change to how current customers do business with either company. The companies also do not anticipate any loss of jobs because of the agreement.
“We look forward to working with Traci Harrell and the SDC team,” said Medical Mutual Chairman, President and CEO Rick Chiricosta. “SDC emphasizes access to quality care and provides excellent customer service – just as Medical Mutual does.”
SDC will remain headquartered in the Dayton area, with Harrell continuing to lead the company. The partnership between SDC and Medical Mutual was ratified by SDC shareholders and finalized August 31, 2018.
About Medical Mutual of Ohio
Founded in 1934, Medical Mutual of Ohio is the oldest health insurance company based in Ohio. For more than 80 years, the company has served customers with high-quality, affordable group and personal health insurance plans, and third-party administrative services to self-insured group customers. As a mutual health insurance company, Medical Mutual is unique in that it operates for the benefit of its members. Unlike publicly-traded insurance companies that must maximize their financial return, Medical Mutual does not answer to stockholders or Wall Street analysts.
About Superior Dental Care
Superior Dental Care (SDC) was founded in 1986 by a group of dentists to create the first dentist-owned dental plan as an alternative to less effective and inferior plans. Today, SDC offers group dental and other ancillary benefits to companies throughout Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana.
Scheduled maintenance is currently being performed to Superior Direct Connect and the SDC Mobile App. During this time, you may experience delays in functionality. We apologize for any inconvenience. For immediate assistance during business hours (Monday-Friday, 7:30am – 5:00pm), please call (800) 762-3159.
Scheduled maintenance is currently being performed to Superior Direct Connect and the SDC Mobile App. During this time, you may experience delays in functionality. We apologize for any inconvenience. For immediate assistance during business hours (Monday-Friday, 7:30am – 5:00pm), please call (800) 762-3159.
In 2009, the National Health Care Anti-Fraud Association (NHCAA) estimated that 3-10% of the nation's annual benefits paid for health care were paid for fraudulent or abusive submissions. Estimations by fraud analysts indicate that there is a greater percentage of fraud in dentistry than there is in medicine. Because insurance fraud significantly impacts the cost of dental benefits, you can play a key role in identifying and reporting suspicious activity.
The NHCAA reports that the most common fraudulent acts include:
The close monitoring of processed claims via Superior Dental Care's (SDC's) secure web access (Superior Direct Connect: www.superiordental.com/directConnect.htm) is one easy way to monitor submitted and received claims. If you are aware of any false information submitted to SDC, please contact our Dentist and Member Services Team at 937.438.0283 or 800.762.3159 to report the activity. If preferred, a written complaint may be mailed to: Superior Dental Care Alliance Inc., Special Investigating Unit, 6683 Centerville Business Parkway, Centerville, OH 45459.
SDC's Special Investigating Unit handles all reports of suspected fraud expeditiously and with confidentiality. Reports are accepted anonymously; but, every report initiates an investigation. SDC takes necessary actions to report confirmed fraudulent activities to appropriate state agencies and to recover monies paid in association with misrepresented services.
ORAL HEALTH and RESOURCES (Members)
HUMAN RESOURCE ASSOCIATIONS (Employers)
INSURANCE ASSOCIATIONS (Brokers)
DENTAL ASSOCIATIONS (Dentists)
Last year, SDC completed the integration of our data systems with our parent company, Medical Mutual. This process included replacing SDC's member ID numbers (also referred to as "SDC alternate ID numbers") with new member ID numbers from Medical Mutual.
As of August 2023, all members have received a new ID card with their new member ID number. Since then, we have temporarily continued to accommodate claim submissions that included a retired SDC member ID number. Effective April 1, 2024, retired SDC alternate member ID numbers will no longer be accepted. HIPAA 277 transactions will be initiated, requiring the active member ID number for all claim submissions and member communications.
The active member ID number can be found on the member's new ID card. As a reminder, members may present an SDC ID card or a Medical Mutual ID card. Review the SDC Member ID Card Guide for Providers for reference. Participating dentists may also verify the member ID number through Superior Direct Connect. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact SDC’s Dentist and Member Services team at 1-800-801-4915.
Thank you for your attention to this critical submission requirement.
