Eliminated feature - deductible before/after percent

[jordansparks]

As of version 6.7, there is no longer a choice in how deductible is calculated. The deductible is always calculated before percentage. This change was made because it seems to be the universal way of calculating deductibles. But it will be considered a missing feature, which we don't do very often. So I just wanted to get this topic out there to see if anyone would miss having the option to calculate deductible after percentage. The manual discusses the difference here:
http://www.open-dent.com/manual/deductibles.html
As you can see the new way is what's labeled the "Alternate" on that page. That page would obviously become obsoleted.

[Debbie OD Support]

In my experience with talking to our customers there are a few that never understood why we take the deductible out before percentage they thought it was odd just like we think it is odd for them to take it out after. I am sure we are going to hear from them if this comes out. I don't know if it is an east coast/west coast thing but there are people out there that are going to need to be able to change it to take it out after the percentage.

[nathansparks]

It seems to be regional, I have worked with some offices who have mostly deductible before % and others who have mostly % then deductible. Where did we get the information that it is universal?

[jordansparks]

The source of all semiaccurate knowledge: Wikipedia.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deductible
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Health_insurance
Notice that it doesn't specifically state it the way I've described, but it strongly implies that it always comes out before any percentages are calculated. I also reviewed a number of EOB's from actual patients, and they all showed it the same way. Deductible subtracted first, then percentages calculated.

[Nate]

I would prefer to have the option. That was one of the many things I liked over Dentrix which didnt really provide the option a few years ago. And at that time they did it the way used less (deductible applied before precent) Not sure now what they do with dedcutibles. I agree the way you suggest is the most common way, probably 95% of the insurance companies we deal with in the midwest. However I would still prefer the option to choose.

[jordansparks]

Nate, did you make a mistake in your post. You said

at that time they did it the way used less (deductible applied before percent)

But that's the way most used. And that's the way it will be in version 6.7. I just want to make sure that we're in agreement that the vast majority of carriers do it this way and it won't really mess anything up too bad to always do it this way. Because of the complexity of the calculations, it's looking more and more like there won't be a choice in 6.7.