Network capitation practices: a new concept.

The percentage of consumers in the U. S. covered by dental insurance has increased dramatically over the last 10 years. As dental insurance grows, it is becoming increasingly important to examine the context of dental care payment systems. At present, almost all insurance programs are geared toward the fee-for-service system, which reimburses dentists a fixed sum for each type of procedure. The exceptions to fee-for-service dental insurance plans are few. A capitation program for dental care, which reimburses dentists a fixed amount per enrolled patient regardless of services rendered, offers many advantages for both consumers and providers and should be available as an option. Network capitation represents a new approach to the payment of dental care. A network capitation program is being developed in the United States and will use an approach involving two contracts, one which will be used with an insurance company, and the second with a network of private practitioners. The insurance company will supply dental practices with dental patients and funds on a capitation basis. Patients will be given the choice of fee-for-service or capitation. Network capitation allows fee-for-service solo or group practitioners to incorporate capitation patients into their practice.

A quantitative comparison of services performed for fee-for-service and capitation patients.

The numbers of specific services performed for fee-for-service and capitation patients were compared in a group dental practice. The capitation patients received more services per 100 patients in almost all categories. This is attributed to the incentives for the dentist and a lower out-of-pocket cost for the patient.

n-Type silicon photoelectrochemistry in methanol: Design of a 10.1% efficient semiconductor/liquid junction solar cell.

n-Type Si electrodes in MeOH solvent with 0.2 M (1-hydroxyethyl)ferrocene, 0.5 mM (1-hydroxyethyl)ferricenium, and 1.0 M LiClO(4) exhibit air mass 2 conversion efficiencies of 10.1% for optical energy into electricity. We observe open-circuit voltages of 0.53 V and short-circuit quantum efficiencies for electron flow of nearly unity. The fill factor of the cell does not decline significantly with increases in light intensity, indicating substantial reduction in efficiency losses in MeOH solvent compared to previous nonaqueous n-Si systems. Matte etch texturing of the Si surface decreases surface reflectivity and increases photocurrent by 50% compared to shiny, polished Si samples. The high values of the open-circuit voltage observed are consistent with the presence of a thin oxide layer, as in a Schottky metal-insulator-semiconductor device, which yields decreased surface recombination and increased values of open-circuit voltage and short-circuit current. The n-Si system was shown to provide sustained photocurrent at air mass 2 levels (20 mA/cm(2)) for charge through the interface of >2,000 C/cm(2). The n-Si/MeOH system represents a liquid junction cell that has exceeded the 10% barrier for conversion of optical energy into electricity.