As a trained dentist who’s worked with many of the largest dental insurers to implement artificial intelligence (AI), I hear one question almost every time:
“How will AI impact our provider network?”
Insurance leaders are smart to consider how providers will be impacted by any new process or technology — much less advanced AI. However, when handled strategically, AI tools like Overjet actually strengthen these critical relationships. Insurers are leveraging our platform to make their interactions with providers more streamlined, more transparent, and ultimately, more effective.
Here are five ways I’ve seen successful payers use AI to improve their provider relationships — and reduce provider churn:
1) ACCELERATING THE CLAIMS SUBMISSION PROCESS
The claims submission process can be one of the biggest stress points in provider–payer relationships. Errors in claims or long delays in processing create frustration, not just for providers but for patients waiting on treatments to improve their health. Imagine a system that identifies coding mistakes and missing documents before they ever become a problem. That’s what AI brings: efficiency and peace of mind.
HOW IT HELPS: With fewer denials, faster reimbursements, and streamlined experience, providers feel supported and valued. This isn’t just about cutting down on frustration; it’s about building trust and a smoother partnership with the payer.
2) AUTOMATING CREDENTIALING AND RE-CREDENTIALING
Credentialing and re-credentialing are necessary processes for insurers. Yet they can often be tedious and time-consuming, placing a burden on office staff and impacting the provider’s experience.
Successful payers use AI to take the hassle out of credentialing — automating data verification and reducing errors that slow the process down. Providers ultimately benefit from faster onboarding and re-credentialing, allowing them to focus on patient care.
HOW IT HELPS: Imagine being able to see patients without waiting weeks or even months for network approval. Providers can move onto their new position more smoothly, set their new amazing associate up for success faster or open their new dental practice with ease, instead of getting caught in administrative delays. AI allows providers to be in-network sooner, ensuring their time is respected. This efficiency builds trust, making providers feel supported by a payer who values a smooth process.
3) PARTNERING WITH PROVIDERS TO ACCELERATE PRE-DETERMINATIONS
When patients need treatment, they shouldn’t have to wait on a lengthy pre-determination process. Payers who prioritize provider satisfaction and patient health use AI to turn pre-determinations into a seamless experience. AI doesn’t just process claims, but can be used to make near instant medical necessity approvals for routine cases. This way, providers can move forward with care quickly, without unnecessary roadblocks.
HOW IT HELPS: By accelerating pre-determinations, AI enables payers to show that they’re invested in the provider’s ability to deliver timely care. This responsiveness is more than just an efficiency boost - it is actual partnership. Providers are actually supported in their expertise caring for their patients, in real time. Providers who experience this level of support are more likely to stay with a network that values them and their patients.
4) GIVING PROVIDERS AI-POWERED INSIGHTS
The best payers don’t just use AI for administrative ease. They also leverage it to add value. AI can offer insights that empower providers to improve their care, from health trends to risk factors that help them understand their patient population needs more deeply.
HOW IT HELPS: Providers gain deeper insight into their patients’ needs, allowing them to act early and improve outcomes. This positions the payer not just as a claims processor, but as a true partner in health. When providers are backed with meaningful insights, they know they’re supported by a forward-thinking payer invested in their success.
5) BEING TRANSPARENT ABOUT THEIR APPROACH TO AI
For many providers, claims processing can feel like a black box - unpredictable and sometimes unfair. Payers who foster strong relationships are transparent about AI’s role - applying consistent, data-backed criteria to every claim, making it easier for providers to understand exactly how claims are evaluated. AI brings structure and fairness to claims, making the process predictable and building trust by ensuring that everyone plays by the same rules.
HOW IT HELPS: Transparency turns AI into a tool for fairness, not confusion. Providers experience fewer surprises and understand how their claims are processed, adding security and understanding to their network. This kind of clarity is powerful - it’s the foundation of a stable, lasting partnership.
YOUR PROVIDERS WILL THANK YOU
The payers who avoid provider churn aren’t just using AI to cut down on processing times. They’re using it to create a more transparent, supportive experience. AI done right isn’t about technology alone — it’s about building partnerships, reducing burdens, and making a difference in the lives of providers and patients alike. By implementing AI thoughtfully, payers can establish a foundation of trust and loyalty that keeps providers engaged and dedicated to the network.
Want to learn how AI can improve your provider relationships? Let’s talk about how Overjet’s AI solutions can build the partnerships your network needs.
