AAE Lobbies Congress for Dental Plan Reforms
The American Association of Endodontists (AAE) is proud to stand alongside the American Dental Association (ADA) and other leading dental specialty organizations in signing a coalition letter advocating for greater fairness in the relationship between dental providers and benefit carriers.
In addition to supporting this joint effort, AAE has launched a grassroots advocacy campaign in support of the Dental and Optometric Care (DOC) Access Act—a bipartisan bill designed to restore balance in provider-carrier relationships. This critical legislation would prohibit dental plans from setting fees for services that are not covered by a patient’s dental insurance plan, ensuring that in-network dentists can determine fair pricing for non-covered services.
Protecting Dentists and Patients from Unfair Business Practices
Under current practices, many dental benefit carriers impose fee caps on procedures they don’t even cover—restricting providers from setting fair, market-based rates for non-covered services. This not only limits practice autonomy and disrupts fair competition, but also negatively impacts patients by reducing access to services or limiting treatment flexibility.
The DOC Access Act seeks to eliminate this overreach by prohibiting insurance companies from dictating fees for services outside their coverage. It ensures that dental professionals can establish appropriate fees based on clinical judgment and patient needs, not insurance mandates.
AAE’s Commitment to Reform
AAE continues to advocate for meaningful reform in dental benefit structures that better support both providers and the patients they serve. The DOC Access Act is a vital step toward restoring balance in provider-carrier relationships. By reinforcing the professional judgment of dental providers and limiting undue influence from dental plans, this legislation helps preserve the quality, accessibility, and integrity of dental care.
AAE will continue to lead these critical efforts—ensuring that the future of dentistry is one where providers are empowered, and patients are prioritized.
Visit the link below to support the DOC Access Act.