Dentists Oppose Dental Insurance Fee Capping

Fully 98% of dentists think fee capping by dental insurance companies is totally inappropriate. Only 2% say it’s a legitimate business move.

“Fee capping should be illegal, especially since the insurance company fees have not kept up with the standard of living cost increases,” opined a California dentist.

[Related article:28 States Considering Legislation on Dental Insurance Fee Capping]

Here are just a few of the comments from dentists on dental insurance companies setting fees:

• “I believe it is restraint of trade.” (Pennsylvania dental hygienist)
• “It’s inappropriate for insurance companies to set ANY fees. Their choices are who to insure, and what levels to reimburse at.” (Michigan dentist)
• “Dental practice was FAR better prior to dental insurance. Patients budgeted for treatment, and proceeded with necessary Dentistry. Today, they believe the insurance processor instead of the treating doctor for their dental needs. If the insurance does not allow it, in their minds, it must not be needed!” (Illinois dentist)
• “Free enterprise?!? Not if insurance has it their way. If I wasn’t ten years from retirement, I would change careers!” (Pennsylvania dentist)
• “I don’t like it, but the contractually lower fees is something of value that the customers of the insurance company are paying for with their premiums.” (Oregon dentist)
• “If they want to have a say in the fees, then provide coverage for the service." (Connecticut prosthodontist)
• “It’s crippling dentists.” (Texas dentist)
• “They are only feathering their own nests by being able to offer a lower fee for non-covered services for which they do not collect a premium thereby making the insurance plan more attractive to purchasers." (Orthodontist)
• “I am so glad I stuck to my guns and never became part of PPO’s or other insurance plans.” (New York dentist)
• “We aren’t supposed to compare our fees to other dentists, which they call price fixing. If insurance companies cover the services and we are providers for that insurance, then it is appropriate for them to ask what the fees are. If they do not cover the services then they do not have a right to know the fees we charge for the non-covered items.” (Arizona dentist)

Read more: Dentists Oppose Dental Insurance Setting Fees for Non-Covered Services