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The Delta Dental Premier provider network offers more than 121,000participating individual dentists in over 174,000 office locations nationwide.The Delta Dental PPO network includes over 60,000 individual dentists in morethan 97,000 office locations. Both networks represent the largest in theirrespective classes, with three out of every four dentists in the nationparticipating in one or more of the Delta Dental networks.
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"Having the largest networks of dentists in the nation is tremendouslyimportant because it means we can deliver maximum access and freedom of choicewith minimal disruption or inconvenience to our 50 million subscribers," saidKim Volk, president and CEO of Delta Dental Plans Association. "Our networksrepresent a critical part of fulfilling our commitment to promoting good oralhealth by creating access to affordable dental care."
Delta Dental Premier offers a comprehensive package of benefits coupledwith cost-saving managed care features and flexible plan designs. DeltaDental PPO provides enrollees a dual network advantage; they receive deeperdiscounts for seeking care from within the extensive PPO provider network,along with access to the largest network of any type in the nation, DeltaDental Premier, as a secondary safety net.
Enrollees in either program realize significant out-of-pocket savings froma "no balance billing" provision. Dentists in both the Delta Dental PPO andDelta Dental Premier networks accept negotiated fees as payment in full, andcan't pass costs along to patients for any differences between submittedcharges and the charges allowed under Delta Dental's contractual agreements.Enrollees seeking services from network dentists only have to pay deductiblesand copayments required by their plans.
Delta Dental attributes the size and strength of their networks to anumber of factors. First, the 39 independently operating member companiesthat comprise the Delta Dental System allow for locally based recruitment anddentists relationships, even while all part of a single, uniform nationwidenetwork.
From everyday operations to the highest levels of management, Delta Dentalalso employs more licensed dentists and dental professionals on staff thanother dental carriers. This ensures that dentistry's needs and concerns arerepresented -- imperative to maintaining network credibility and stability.
In a recent nationwide survey, practicing dentists were asked theiropinions about some of the nation's largest dental benefits carriers and toname those characteristics they appreciate most from these carriers. Thestudy, conducted by independent research firm The Long Group concluded thatDelta Dental outperformed other carriers in areas identified as most importantto dentists such as customer service, claims processing and overallsatisfaction.
"We work hard at developing and maintaining relationships with dentists,and it shows in our networks," said Volk. "They're more than just numbers tous -- they're partners in helping to advance solutions for great oral health."
Delta Dental Plans Association (http://www.deltadental.com), based in OakBrook, IL, is a national network of independent not-for-profit dental servicecorporations. The Delta Dental system is the oldest and largest dentalbenefits carrier in the nation, specializing in providing dental benefitsprograms to 50 million Americans in more than 88,000 employee groupsthroughout the country.
