Switching dental plan patients from one provider to another is about to become much simpler and automated.

New rules and an accreditation scheme for organisations processing third party direct debits, means dental plan providers will soon have to utilise the 'Bulk Change' process if a practice wishes to switch its plan administration from one provider to another.

The Bulk Change process allows for direct debits to be transferred automatically 'in the background' from one provider to another, without patients having to sign a new direct debit instruction, making life simpler and more convenient for everyone involved.

Patient Plan Direct is the first plan provider to obtain accreditation under the new rules. Patient Plan Direct has been an Accredited Facilities Management Provider since 23 April 2018.

Simon Reynolds, Commercial Director at Patient Plan Direct, says: 'We welcome these changes, which create a competitively fair market and affords practices the freedom of choice to decide which provider to work with, without being put off by a previously cumbersome switching process.'

For more information visit www.patientplandirect.co.uk/simpleswitch.