Let me ask you a slightly uncomfortable question…

Are you unknowingly being paid less for the exact same procedure because of a contract you never directly signed?

Welcome to the wild world of Umbrella Networks, also known as network leasing or stacking.

And yes… it’s exactly as fun as it sounds. (Spoiler alert: it’s not.)

What Is an Umbrella Network?

In the PPO universe, insurance companies don’t always negotiate their own networks from scratch. Instead, they often lease access to other networks.

Think of it like this:

• You sign a contract with Carrier A.

• Carrier A leases your participation to Carrier B.

• Carrier B leases it to Carrier C.

Suddenly, you’re treating patients from plans you never consciously joined.

And here’s the kicker…

When these contracts “stack,” your reimbursement frequently defaults to the lowest fee schedule in the pile.

Same crown.
Same composite.
Same skill.
Different (lower) paycheck.

The Silent Revenue Leak

This isn’t a dramatic denial.
It’s not an obvious write-off.
It doesn’t come with flashing warning lights.

It just quietly shows up on your EOB as:

“Allowed Amount: $742”
When you know it should’ve been $913.

Multiply that difference across hundreds of procedures per year and suddenly you’re looking at tens, sometimes hundreds, of thousands of dollars walking out the back door.

And the worst part?

Most practices don’t even know it’s happening.

Why This Happens

Umbrella networks are designed for efficiency, for the carrier.

They:

• Expand network access quickly

• Control costs by pushing toward lower schedules

• Use complex contract language most doctors never see

It’s not personal.

It’s math.

And unless someone is actively auditing and mapping your network participation, you’re likely being paid based on the carrier’s leverage, not your value.

The Solution: Contract Optimization

Here’s the good news:
You don’t have to accept it.

At Veritas Dental Resources, we specialize in contract optimization.

That means we:

• Identify every umbrella and leased network touching your practice

• Map out the entire “stack”

• Determine which participation path produces the highest reimbursement

• Strategically reposition you so the system works for your bottom line

Because here’s the truth:

Insurance companies understand their contracts extremely well.

Most dentists don’t have time to.

And that gap?
That’s where money disappears.

Your Skill Shouldn’t Be Discounted by Fine Print

You went to school for years.
You invest in CE.
You lead a team.
You change lives.

Your value shouldn’t be dictated by a buried leasing clause from 14 pages deep in a contract you signed 9 years ago.

Hidden clauses should not determine your worth.

Strategy should.

The Big Question

If you discovered tomorrow that 15%–25% of your revenue was being quietly redirected to a lower stack…

Would you want to know?

If the answer is yes, it’s time to take control of your PPO contracts.

Learn more about navigating umbrella networks and contract optimization here:
https://veritasdentalresources.com

The insurance companies built the stack.

Now it’s your turn to climb it.

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