Dentists who are considering whether to add or drop participation with a dental benefit plan or network often seek guidance from CDA’s expert analysts. A question the analysts commonly hear is if any dentists who joined or dropped their participation with a dental benefit plan experienced a successful transition.
Typically, the caller also wants to know if the analyst is aware of a dentist’s unsuccessful transition after joining or dropping participation with a dental plan.
The answer to both questions is yes.
“It’s important to remember that adding or dropping a contract with a dental benefit plan is a personal business decision, CDA Dental Benefit Analyst Lisa Greer says. “There is no “one size fits all” with these types of business decisions because what might work for one dentist might not work for another.”
Analyze the pros and cons for successful dental plan transition
Dentists may wonder how they can make a good decision about adding or dropping participation in a dental plan/network. Greer says each success story contains this one key element: The dentist analyzed the pros and cons of adding or dropping participation with the plan/network. The saying “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” rings true in this situation.
Greer says she sometimes receives calls from dentists who were in contract with a dental benefit plan, then added or dropped participation with the plan and are now experiencing issues related to their decision. “What I’ve found is that dentists often make their decision to join a plan or network predominantly based on the fee schedule. A dentist should not make their decision to join or drop solely based on fees,” Greer cautions.
Dental Benefit Plan Handbook can help dentists evaluate participation
CDA resources can help dentists evaluate the risks and advantages of adding or dropping a plan or network. These include:
- Dental Benefit Plan Handbook – Chapter 2: Understanding Dental Benefit Plan Contracts & Fees
- Dental Benefit Contracting: It’s not all about the fees. What you need to know before you sign
- What You Need to Know About Dropping Dental Plan Contracts
Member dentists will find the three resources and dozens more in the Dental Benefit Plans section of CDA’s resource library. Members also can use a simple online form to submit questions about working with dental benefit plans and an expert will review the question and respond with a resolution or request for additional information.
While contracting or dropping participation with a plan is voluntary, CDA cautions dentists that due to antitrust laws, dentists cannot band together collectively and refuse to participate with a plan. More information is in the ADA’s antitrust policy.