If you’ve ever felt like your dental practice is in a tug-of-war with PPOs—struggling to track which plans you’re in-network with, how fees were negotiated, or why you’re suddenly reimbursed less than before—you’re not alone.

And chances are, the culprit is something called an umbrella network.

Also known as:

• Leasing networks

• Network stacking organizations

• PPO network aggregators

• Silent PPOs

• Access networks

• Third-party leasing arrangements

These entities have become deeply embedded in the insurance contracting landscape. And while they can be useful, they’re also confusing, opaque, and potentially harmful to your practice’s bottom line—unless you know how to navigate them strategically.

Let’s break it all down.

What Is an Umbrella Network?

An umbrella network is a third-party company that acts as a middleman between dental providers and multiple insurance payers. When you sign a contract with an umbrella network, you may be automatically leased or shared across dozens (sometimes hundreds) of PPO networks—without signing a direct contract with each plan.

In other words: you may unknowingly be in-network with insurance companies you never spoke to, simply because of an umbrella agreement.

Why Do Umbrella Networks Exist?

The short answer: to simplify network administration for insurance companies—and to increase access to provider directories without building their own massive networks.

For insurance companies:

• It’s cheaper to lease access to an existing provider network than build one from scratch.

• It allows them to offer “in-network” benefits to members using your practice—even if you never directly joined their plan.

For providers:

• In theory, it offers access to more patients with fewer contracts.

• But in practice, it can result in lower fees, contract confusion, and loss of control over your in-network status.

Common Umbrella Network Organizations

These companies may go by different names depending on who they lease to, but some of the most common include:

• Connection Dental (GEHA)

• Zelis

• Dentemax

• Premier Dental Group (PDG)

• Stratose / PPO USA

• Careington

• Maverest

• Guardian's DentalGuard Preferred Network (via third-party leasing)

Many of these organizations are not insurance companies themselves—they just lease access to your services to actual payers like Aetna, Cigna, or United Concordia.

Risks and Drawbacks of Umbrella Networks

1. Unintended PPO Participation
   You may find yourself in-network with 20+ plans you never directly signed with—often with fee schedules you didn’t negotiate.

2. Lower Fee Schedules
   Umbrella contracts often come with default or bottom-tier reimbursement rates, which may override your better direct-negotiated contracts.

3. Confusing EOBs and Claims Issues
   It’s difficult to track which payer is using which network access, leading to processing issues and mismanaged estimates.

4. Silent PPO Activity
   In some cases, umbrella networks allow payers to access discounted rates without notifying you—a direct hit to your profitability.

How to Use Umbrella Networks to Your Advantage

While they come with drawbacks, umbrella networks aren’t always bad—if you manage them intentionally. Here's how:

1. Inventory All Network Relationships

Start by figuring out exactly which payers you’re in-network with, and how you're in-network—direct vs. leased. Request a network participation report from umbrella administrators and credentialing companies.

2. Compare Fee Schedules

You may have multiple access points into the same PPO network. For example:

• You’re directly contracted with MetLife at $900 for a crown

• But leased into MetLife again through Dentemax at $700

In that case, Dentemax may override the direct contract unless you carve it out.

3. Carve Out Low-Fee Contracts

Most umbrella networks allow for carve-outs—the ability to opt out of leasing your services to specific payers. This lets you protect higher-fee direct contracts from being undercut.

Ask your umbrella network for:

• A list of payers they lease to

• Instructions on how to opt out of individual plans

4. Use Umbrella Networks for Strategic Access

If you’re not ready to contract directly with a particular payer, but want exposure to their patients, umbrella networks can help. Just make sure the fee schedule is worth it.

Sometimes umbrella access provides better rates than direct offers. Sometimes not. Always compare.

5. Work with PPO Negotiation Experts

Companies like Veritas Dental Resources can help you:

• Analyze contracts

• Negotiate better fees

• Optimize which umbrella networks to keep or exit

• Maximize reimbursements while maintaining patient flow

A single carve-out or renegotiation could reclaim tens of thousands of dollars annually.

Key Takeaways

• Umbrella networks = PPO middlemen that lease your contract access to other insurers.

• They're also called leasing networks, network aggregators, or silent PPOs.

• They simplify network participation—but often reduce fee control.

• You must actively manage which networks you participate in and at what fee level.

• Fee negotiation and carve-outs are essential to protect your profitability.

Final Thought: Know the Fine Print, Own the Fee Schedule

In a world of complicated PPOs and hidden contracts, the worst thing a dental practice can do is sign and forget. Whether you’re brand new to insurance participation or trying to clean up years of confusing contracts, take the time to audit and optimize your PPO landscape.

Umbrella networks aren’t going away—but with the right knowledge, they don’t have to hijack your fees or your freedom.

Own your contracts. Know your fees. And take control of your practice's future.

Benjamin Tuinei

Founder - Veritas Dental Resources, LLC
Phone: 888-808-4513

Services:
PPO Fee Negotiators | PPO Fee Negotiating | Insurance Fee Negotiating
Insurance Credentialing | Insurance Verifications

Websites:
www.VeritasDentalResources.com | www.VerusDental.com