Top 5 large-group dental carriers in the U.S.

Jul 19, 2017

The five biggest large-group dental carriers in the U.S. together have reported almost $4 billion in dental premiums for 2017. But in reality, the majority of that figure comes from just two insurers, MetLife Dental and Delta Dental of California.

And this has been true for each of the last three years. In fact, if you add up the 2017 premiums of the bottom three on this list, this figure does not equal that of Delta Dental of California's total premiums for 2017.

MetLife has retained its position as the largest large-group dental carrier in the U.S. for each of the past three years. In fact, the company's premiums are more than $100 million greater than the next carrier on the list, Delta Dental of California. However, Delta Dental has shown the greatest increase over the last three years.

For this ranking, companies were ranked over a three-year period by total dental premiums to offer a wider look at trends. Premiums were chosen as the information was readily available to be confirmed, whereas the number of patients covered or total providers was not always available.

Guardian Life Insurance Company of America is the last company reporting more than $300 million in premiums for 2017. If the list were extended to 10 companies, Delta Dental of Michigan, United Concordia Dental, Delta Dental of New Jersey and Connecticut, Anthem, and UnitedHealthcare would make the list, in that order.

All data are taken from published figures, ranked by premiums reported on Form 5500 data as of March 2017 and accessed July 2017. Source for the 2017 data is the Employee Benefit Advisor. Source for the 2016 and 2015 data is the Employee Benefit News.

MetLife
Total dental premiums in 2017: $1.420 billion
Total dental premiums in 2016: $1.364 billion
Total dental premiums in 2015: $1.294 billion
Increase 2015-2017: $125.1 million
Corporate base: New York City
Note: The company claims more than 370,000 "participating dentist access points" in its Preferred Dentist Program (PDP) Plus network. The company's dental health maintenance organization (DHMO) is available in five states (California, Florida, New Jersey, New York, and Texas).
Delta Dental of California
Total dental premiums in 2017: $1.294 billion
Total dental premiums in 2016: $1.089 billion
Total dental premiums in 2015: $1.153 billion
Increase 2015-2017: $141.3 million
Corporate base: San Francisco
Note: As of August 2016, Delta Dental of California has more than 53,000 dentist locations in its Premier network, more than 43,000 in its preferred provider organization (PPO) network, and almost 6,000 in its DeltaCare USA facilities, according to a company fact sheet.
Aetna
Total dental premiums in 2017: $568.2 million
Total dental premiums in 2016: $529.4 million
Total dental premiums in 2015: $499.7 million
Increase 2015-2017: $68.5 million
Corporate base: Hartford, CT
Note: The company claims about 14.5 million dental members on its website.
Cigna
Total dental premiums in 2017: $346.8 million
Total dental premiums in 2016: $312.1 million
Total dental premiums in 2015: $284.9 million
Increase 2015-2017: $61.9 million
Corporate base: Bloomfield, CT
Note: The company notes that it works with 140,000 dental professionals in its PPO program and more than 20,000 dental professionals in its DHMO program. It claims 13 million people are covered by its dental programs on its website.
Guardian Life Insurance Company of America
Total dental premiums in 2017: $323.6 million
Total dental premiums in 2016: $294.4 million
Total dental premiums in 2015: $272.5 million
Increase: $51.0 million
Corporate base: New York City
Note: Guardian acquired Avesis, a leading government contract vision, dental, and hearing benefits provider in 2015. The company acquired Premier Access Life and Access Dental in July 2014.