The term ‘preferred provider’ describes a clinician who makes a deal with one or more health insurers to treat their members at a below market rate. In return, the insurance company will recommend that provider to its members. This is NOT an endorsement of the quality of the practice or the skills of the clinician - it is a recommendation motivated by financial incentive to both the patient and the insurer.

This arrangement is appealing to health insurers because it increases their profits. If the treatment is completed at a reduced cost, they can pay out a smaller rebate.

When clinicians are forced to reduce the cost of treatment, then the service may be compromised in the following ways:

• Treatment must be performed faster to compensate for the reduced payment. This incentivises speed over quality and leads to rushed procedures and consultations.

• A preference for cheaper materials rather than higher quality materials that work best or last longer.

• An increased need to charge the patient for any additional or unexpected care, modifications or reviews.

• A reduction in number and quality of auxiliary staff such as nursing and administrative assistants.

Our practitioners at Crown Dentistry are focused on providing an elite standard of excellence with respect to dental care and outcomes. Therefore, we have no preferred provider relationship with any health insurer.

A preferred provider scheme may promise cost reductions in healthcare, but this is only possible by diminishing the quality of that care. Regardless of how the health insurer markets the scheme, the reality is that you cannot expect to receive more for less.