BENECARE CREATED ITS VALUE-BASED MODEL IN 1979
THE GOAL — BETTER ORAL HEALTH
BeneCare Dental Plans was founded in 1979 by Dr. B.H. Serota, a graduate of The University of Pennsylvania School of Dental Medicine and a practicing dentist. The catalyst behind its creation won’t surprise anyone. It was, and still is, better oral health. The difference is how we get there.
OUTCOMES THAT MATTER
The BeneCare model, which operates in collaboration with participating practitioners and plan sponsors, helps to ensure all covered members receive dental care according to the prevailing community standards of care. The goal is to move patients from episodic/emergent care into oral health maintenance by helping to:
- Deliver meaningful outcomes that result in cost containment.
- Educate and engage members in their own oral health.
- Create healthier populations.
A Different Approach
BeneCare’s networks and underwriting entities are owned, operated, and/or managed by the dental professionals who help define, deliver, and assume the risk of providing care. This approach offers distinct advantages over the typical insurer’s model by:
- Adopting peer-reviewed standards for appropriate, cost-effective care.
- Putting clinical-decision making back into the hands of dental professionals.
- Lowering administrative overhead to help allocate more benefit dollars to patient care.
- Achieving cost containment through better outcomes and improved oral health.
VITAL STATISTICS
Products and Services
Medicare Advantage supplemental plans
Managed Care Organizations
Service Area
- Connecticut
- New York
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- Delaware
- Maryland
Lee Serota, President
Mr. Serota has overall profit-and-loss responsibilities for business operations and provides strategic leadership for long-term growth. Over Lee’s tenure, BeneCare has expanded its geographic footprint and product offering as well as implemented a public-private partnership to provide access to dental care for Medicaid recipients. Prior to joining BeneCare, Mr. Serota held several leadership positions in operations and information technology.
Patrice Ierardi, DMD, Dental Director
Dr. Ierardi collaborates with our dental consultants, participating dentists, and Management Committee to implement clinical policy that meets the prevailing community standards of care. Pat joined BeneCare in 2001 and has 30 years’ experience as a private practice dentist. Dr. Ierardi is a graduate of University of Pennsylvania and serves as Assistant Director, Comprehensive Care Clinics at the University’s School of Dental Medicine.
Rick Schlauch, Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs
With over ten years’ legal experience in the healthcare industry, Rick leads the company’s efforts in regulatory analysis and compliance, and is the primary contact with regulators in our states of operations. Rick is an also the company’s internal legal resource on corporate and operational matters, and manages all external counsel relationships. Rick has a BA from the College of William and Mary, and a Juris Doctor from Washington and Lee University.
Liz Vogelsong, Director of Professional Networks
Ms. Vogelsong is responsible for the recruitment efforts to expand the number of dental professionals participating in BeneCare’s networks. Liz has more than a decade of experience in recruitment roles with Delta Dental, UnitedHealthcare, and Aetna Better Health. Liz joined BeneCare Dental Plans in March 2018.
Mark Engleman, Director of Marketing
Mr. Engleman is accountable for the company’s overall marketing strategy, branding, and sales and provider recruitment campaigns. Mark has an extensive background in integrated marketing strategies, branding, creative services, and executive and regulatory communications. Most recently, Mark held several leadership roles at AmeriHealth Administrators, a subsidiary of Independence Blue Cross in Philadelphia.