Ruark Consulting LLC Releases Dental Network Study

October 11, 2010

Ruark Consulting, LLC (RCL) has completed its sixth annual Dental PPO Network Study, analyzing the value of networks for all major carriers in the dental insurance industry. This year’s study shows that discounts in dental preferred provider networks, the most popular type of plan sold, were largely flat in 2009 rather than increasing as in most years. But the number of dentists participating in the average network increased more quickly than usual, leading to an overall improvement in network-generated savings.

Report Analyzes Value of Dental PPOs across Industry

SIMSBURY, CT, October 11, 2010 -- Ruark Consulting, LLC (RCL) has completed its sixth annual Dental PPO Network Study, analyzing the value of networks for all major carriers in the dental insurance industry.  This year’s study shows that discounts in dental preferred provider networks, the most popular type of plan sold, were largely flat in 2009 rather than increasing as in most years.  But the number of dentists participating in the average network increased more quickly than usual, leading to an overall improvement in network-generated savings.

“The weak economy in 2009 seems to have led many more dentists to decide they should join PPO networks, and the result was the biggest network growth we’ve seen in years,” said Ruth Ann Woodley, FSA, MAA, author of the study.  “But network discounts did not grow as they usually do, probably also a function of the economy.  In the end, network savings increased only slightly.  We’ll have to wait and see if discounts pick up again with economic recovery.”

The RCL study provides detailed data on each network’s discounts, network size and network utilization rates.  It is the only tool available in the dental insurance industry that allows carriers to see how their network results line up against competitors, and is based on claim data representing over 75% of the market.

Ruark Consulting, LLC is an actuarial consulting firm established in 2004, specializing in health care and annuities.  A more detailed paper summarizing national trends and results from this year’s study can be found on our website, www.ruarkonline.com.  Or please contact Ruth Ann Woodley at (860) 325-0188 or ruthann@ruarkonline.com for more information.

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