Several dentists decided not to join Oak Brook, Ill.-based Delta Dental's preferred provider organization, citing the lowered reimbursement rates, Mass Live reports.
Here's what you should know.
1. Although the insurer covers an approximate 30 to 40 percent of the insurable population in Massachusetts, some dentists are not signing on because of the lowered reimbursement rates.
2. Dentists have until Jan. 31 to "sign on" to the PPO, which Delta Dental projects to be popular among employers.
3. Thomas N. Cleary Jr., DDS, is one such dentist. He said the PPO would restrict him to referring patients to specialists who are in-network only.
4. Raymond Martin, DDS, and president of the Massachusetts Dental Society said the PPO will restrict dentists from sending patients' to the best providers.
"It changes what should be an honest relationship between patient and dentist," Dr. Martin said in the report. "They are driving a wedge between the patient and the dentist."
5. Delta isn't changing the reimbursement rates for its current networks, but the PPO proposes new rates which are "significantly" lower.