Open Dental’s latest version 24.1 has been released as stable! Join us as we highlight the features in this version.

Click on a topic to read more.

• Claim Attachment Updates including a new integration with Electronic Dental Service (EDS) attachments and updates to DentalXChange Attachments
• Insurance-related features
• Payment-related features including Message-to-Pay!
• Imaging Module feature
• ODTouch Changes

---

Claim Attachment Updates

Integration with Electronic Dental Service (EDS) Attachments

Open Dental is now integrated with the EDS Attachment Service.
To begin sending attachments through Open Dental:

1. Start by signing up for attachments with EDS.
2. Enable attachments in the EDS Clearinghouse by checking “Allow sending attachments”.
3. Optionally, also check “Save Attachments to Imaging Module” for attachments to be viewable quickly from the patient’s Imaging Module, as well as the claim.

To add an attachment for a patient:

1. Go to the claim, Attachments tab. The EDS tab is automatically selected.
2. Add the attachment. See the EDS Attachment Service manual page for details on adding attachments and sending claims.

Enhancements to DentalXChange Attachments

The workflow for the DentalXChange Attachment service has been updated to make sending attachments more efficient. Attachments are no longer added from the Attachments tab in the Claim. Instead, they can be added by right-clicking a claim in the Account Module. A series of right-click options allow you to add attachments by pasting, snipping, or choosing from the Imaging Module.

---

Insurance Features

Age Limits are now even easier to customize using Code Groups

In the Edit Benefits window, the Fluoride and Sealant Through Ages have been replaced with the new Age Limits grid. By default, Fluoride and Sealant will show up in this grid. To add other Code Groups to this area, check the ‘Show In Age Limits’ checkbox from Code Group Edit.

Preference to auto-update secondary claim estimates when the primary claim is received

When enabled, the Paid By Other Ins and Insurance Estimate amounts on procedures are updated automatically for the secondary Claim Procs to reflect the primary payment amount.

Preference to exclude certain CARCs when auto-processing ERAs

When enabled, the preference causes the system to not auto-receive claims with user-defined CARCs (Open Dental has defaults). This allows users to follow up or resubmit the claims without needing to un-receive them.

---

Payment Features

New Message-to-Pay Feature!

A new feature accessible from the Account Module allows you to quickly text or email a payment link to your patient.

• Messages can be emailed at no additional cost.
• To text the payment link, Integrated Texting is required and incurs additional fees.

In the Account Module, click the Payment dropdown, then “Send Message-to-Pay”

The Message-to-Pay Edit window opens. Select whether to send a text or email to the patient. Edit the message as needed for the patient, or alter the default message in Payment Portal Setup.

The patient can click the link at their convenience to make a payment via the Payment Portal. See our manual for details.

Option to show CareCredit and PayConnect fees on the Daily Payments Report

CareCredit and PayConnect users can optionally choose to view related fees on the Daily Payments report.

When an option is checked, the appropriate column displays in the report. Fees are filled when appropriate.

Additional customization options for CareCredit

New options have been added to the CareCredit Setup window.

First, the Pre-Approval Amount Patient Field and Available Credit Patient Field options have been added. These are fields available as Patient Fields which can be added to the Appointment Views or the Edit Patient Information area in the Family Module.

• CareCredit Pre-Approval Amount: This field updates automatically based on the individual Lookup or Quickscreen results with the patient’s pre-approval amount. If this field is entered, CareCredit Available Credit is marked as N/A.
• CareCredit Available Credit: This field updates automatically based on an individual Lookup or Quickscreen results with the patient’s available credit amount. Only displays an amount if the patient is already a CareCredit cardholder. If this field is entered, the CareCredit Pre-Approval Amount is marked as N/A.

Next, additional options have been added for the Quickscreen feature. Quickscreen is a way to check if patients with upcoming appointments have been pre-approved for CareCredit. Choose from four options:

• Off: Disable the Quickscreen feature.
• On (with Bal): Enable the Quickscreen feature. Only considers patients with an estimated patient portion greater than $1.
• On (no Bal): Enable the Quickscreen feature. Considers all patients, regardless of the estimated patient portion for the appointment.
• Lookup Only: Check only to see if a patient is a current CareCredit cardholder and retrieve the available credit, if any. This does not check for eligibility or pre-approval status.

---

Imaging Module Feature

A new option allows the addition of a heading with patient name, birthdate, and image date when printing a document from the Imaging Module.

---

Support is always here for you! Online chat can get simple questions answered right away. For troubleshooting or to remote-connect, please give us a call.

Information in this post reflects features available in Open Dental Version 24.1. For the most up-to-date information, please visit our manual.