Institute for International Research

Understanding How Key Trends Will Impact the Dental Benefits Industry

The world of employee benefits is changing rapidly. The consumer movement, the escalating cost of healthcare for employers & healthcare legislative changes all impact how dental benefits are, and will be, provided in the future. For companies to succeed, they must meet these changing needs with greater flexibility in dental benefit design, better customer service, & improved relationships with their participating dentists. The dental workforce is also changing & dental insurers need to be mindful of the issues that cause dissatisfaction among dentists. This session explores key trends to help companies prepare for the changes that lie ahead:

Steven H. Keller DDS, Vice President Business Development, DENTAQUEST, INC.

Fred Tye, DDS, Dental Consultant

DENTAL/MEDICAL COORDINATION AND ITS IMPACT ON DENTAL BENEFIT PRODUCTS

Reduce Costs through Dental/Medical Coordination

Allen Finkelstein, DDS, Chief Dental Officer, AMERICHOICE / UNITED HEALTH GROUP

Claudia Hanson, MD, Medical Director for Care Management & Quality, AMERICHOICE / UNITED HEALTH GROUP

Cause & Effect? The Oral Systemic Health Link & its Implications on Dental Benefits

There has been a lot of research in recent years of the association between oral & overall health particularly in regards to the severity of cardiovascular disease, the control of diabetes, or the risk of having a pre-term low birth-weight baby. More recent research indicates that the link may extend to other conditions as well. We will look at the association between oral health & these various conditions & discuss what role dental insurance benefits may play in helping with the medical management of these conditions.

Robert S. Lewando, DDS, Associate Medical Director, Dental Blue, BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD OF MA

HOW TO MAINTAIN & OPTIMIZE NETWORKS THROUGH PROVIDERS & PRODUCT DESIGN?

Strategies to Attract & Maintain Dental Provider Networks

Bruce Bernstein, Director of Network Development,CAREINGTON INTERNATIONAL

Applying Evidence Based Dentistry to Determine Benefits

New dental technologies, or the application of old technologies to new situations, challenge the benefit determination process. Should new procedures be benefited with faith put in the provider to do the right thing or should dental plans not cover procedures of questionable value to the health of the patient? What criteria can be used to deny claims in this situation? Given the paucity of longitudinal valid & reliable clinical trails for many new dental procedures, materials & technologies, what authorities should the claim examiner listen to & what strategies can dental service companies adopt to prevent paying for care that has little value in improving oral health?

Gary Colangelo, DDS, MGA, Dental Director, CAREFIRST BLUECROSS BLUESHIELD

Measuring the Value of Your Dental Network through Competitive Intelligence

Dental PPO carriers know that the network is their most important selling point, but do you really know how your network stacks up? The network must deliver overall savings & quality dentists, not just a large number of directory entries. How should companies evaluate their performance & set goals for continued mprovement?

Ms. Ruth Ann Woodley, Vice President, RUARK CONSULTING, LLC

Mr. Aaron Groffman, President, THE IGNITION GROUP

Jennifer Erb, Manager, Product Development & Market Research, DENTEMAX

The Eight Conversations about Benefits: The Dental Perspective

Employers need to see more relevance for their benefits dollar: survival requires realigning benefits strategies with business realities. Finite resources are forcing unprecedented shifts in employer-sponsored health and welfare. This new reality presents opportunities for the dental benefits professional looking to provide greater value to employers and employees.

Ronald S. Leopold, MD, MBA, MPH, National Medical Director and Vice President, METLIFE INSTITUTIONAL BUSINESS