PART 2
Shadow PPOs and Payment Games: When You’re Contracted Without Knowing It

If virtual credit cards are the second discount, then network leasing is the discount you never even saw coming.

Let’s talk about shadow PPOs.

The Network You Never Signed

Here’s a story dentists tell us all the time:

“We only signed with Carrier A.
Why are we seeing patients from Carrier B, C, and a random alphabet soup plan… all at lower fees?”

Answer:
Network leasing.

Your contract with one plan quietly allows your fees to be leased or shared with multiple other networks, often without:

• Clear disclosure

• A list of who’s accessing your fees

• Or a meaningful way to opt out

So now your fees are:

• Discounted once by your PPO contract

• Discounted again by downstream networks

• And sometimes then reduced further by virtual card fees

It’s like agreeing to sell your house at a discount, then finding out three other people sold copies of it too.

Why This Ties Directly to Virtual Credit Cards

Here’s the connection most dentists miss:

Many leased networks rely heavily on third-party payment vendors.

Those vendors frequently default to virtual credit card payments.

Which means:

• You didn’t choose the network

• You didn’t choose the fee

• You didn’t choose the payment method

But you’re paying for all of it.

That’s not partnership.
That’s a maze.

The Quiet Shift Happening Right Now

The same transparency movement that’s pushing back on virtual cards is also:

• Challenging undisclosed network leasing

• Demanding clearer provider contracts

• Forcing insurers to explain how and why your fees are being used

Dentists are starting to ask better questions, and insurers are being forced to give real answers.

Takeaway from Part 2

If you don’t know:

• Who has access to your fees

• How they’re paying you

• And whether there’s a cost to accept that payment

Then you don’t fully control your revenue. Someone else does.

Benjamin Tuinei
Founder, Veritas Dental Resources, LLC
📞 888-808-4513
Services: PPO Fee Negotiators, PPO Fee Negotiating, Insurance Fee Negotiating, Insurance Credentialing, Insurance Verifications
Websites: www.VeritasDentalResources.com, www.VerusDental.com