AADOM
Insurance Symposium
Navigating the Complexities of Dental Insurance Together
Date: May 9 & 10, 2025
Location: YM Dental Lab, Chantilly VA
14100 Park Meadow Dr #100, Chantilly, VA 20151
(easily accessible to Dulles Airport)
REGISTRATION FEE:
Registration opens 2/10/25 for AADOM Distinction Holders.
Registration opens 2/17/25 for all attendees.
SPEAKERS
Teresa Duncan, FAADOM
Speaker
Bio →
With over 20 years in healthcare, Teresa Duncan is a recognized expert in insurance coding, office management, and patient communication. She authored Moving Your Patients to Yes: Easy Insurance Conversations and contributes to the ADA’s Annual CDT Companion Guide™. Named among the Top 25 Women in Dentistry, Teresa hosts the podcasts Nobody Told Me That! and Chew On This! to provide industry updates. A member of Women in DSO and the National Association of Dental Plans, she holds a Master’s in Healthcare Management.
Estela Vargas, CRDH
Speaker
Bio →
Estela Vargas, CRDH, is the founder and CEO of Remote Sourcing LLC, specializing in dental insurance billing and revenue recovery. Her expertise in CDT coding, clinical documentation, and claims management empowers dental practices to optimize reimbursements while staying compliant. A prolific writer for DrBicuspid and Dental Economics, Estela also delivers actionable insights as a sought-after speaker, helping practices streamline processes and focus on patient care.
Colleen Huff, FAADOM
Speaker
Bio →
With 30+ years in dentistry, Colleen Huff, FAADOM, is a leading expert in insurance and revenue cycle management. Formerly a practice manager, she transitioned to full-time consulting and speaking in 2021, offering tools to streamline accounts receivable and systems. Author of A Mouthful of Insurance and a Top 25 Women in Dentistry honoree, Colleen educates practices through national conferences, podcasts, and her website’s courses.
Laura Nelson, FAADOM
Speaker
Bio →
Laura Nelson, founder of Front Office Rocks™, is an internationally recognized leader in dental practice management. She has mentored thousands of teams using her interactive training platform and authored the bestselling Step Away from the Drill and Hiring Without Hesitation. Named among Dental Products Report’s Top 25 Women in Dentistry, Laura combines her HR background and master’s in organizational development to help practices achieve growth and efficiency.
Chad Olson
Speaker
Bio →
Chad Olson is the director of state government affairs at the American Dental Association. He leads a team that identifies state legislative/regulatory trends impacting the dental profession, and provides public policy advice that complements and enhances dental association and member dentists’ efforts. Prior to coming to the ADA, he spent more than ten years with Delta Dental. During that time, he helped formulate Delta Dental’s health care reform strategy leading up to and following the passage of the Affordable Care Act, and served as a spokesperson on behalf of the Association to DC-based and national media.
Rebekah Fiehn
Speaker
Bio →
Rebekah Fiehn is the Director, Dental Benefits, Coding, and Data Exchange at the American Dental Association. In this role, she leads ADA inter-agency efforts and multi-stakeholder efforts relating to dental benefits, directs activities associated with the maintenance of the Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (CDT) and the Systematized Nomenclature of Dentistry (SNODENT) and represents the ADA as a content expert on terminologies and the exchange of dental data. Rebekah has fostered advancements in dental care coordination and medical-dental integration by managing the development and implementation of technology and data protocols.
Jerry Berggren, MBA
Speaker
Bio →
Jerry brings over 20 years of experience in market research, strategy and analysis to his role as Director of Research and Information at National Association of Dental Plans (NADP). Since joining NADP, he has led the development of NADP’s Research program to be a valuable and recognized resource for the dental benefits industry.
Mike Adelberg, MPA, MA
Speaker
Bio →
Mike is executive director of the National Association of Dental Plans (NADP). He previously led Faegre Drinker Consulting's healthcare provider and plans practice in Washington, DC, where his practice was largely focused on insurance benefits, including dental benefits. Adelberg has also held several senior positions within the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services and was responsible for establishing the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act policy for pediatric dental coverage and standalone dental plans. He holds master's degrees in public policy and administration from Northern Illinois University and history from Rutgers University.
ABOUT THE SYMPOSIUM
The AADOM Insurance Symposium is designed to equip dental office managers with the tools, knowledge, and strategies they need to streamline insurance processes and overcome common challenges in the industry.
From state-of-the-industry insights to in-depth sessions, this exclusive conference offers unparalleled opportunities to learn, connect, and grow.
This intimate event is limited to 140 attendees, ensuring a personalized and impactful experience.
AGENDA
Friday, May 9, 2025
Registration and Breakfast: 7:30am - 8:30am
8:30am - 8:50am
Welcome and Purpose Statements
NADP, ADA, AADOM (Intros only)
8:50am - 9:50am
Dental RCM and Consumer Trends:
Navigating the Future ▾
The dental insurance and revenue cycle landscape has never been more dynamic. Today’s RCM leader must keep up with not only insurance trends but consumer behavior. And we can’t lose track of workforce trends and their impact on practice overhead. This course will discuss how technology, plan design and patient attitudes impact an office’s administrative load.
Learning objectives:
● Understand how legal rulings affect your collections.
● Strategize your office’s participation position.
● Gain insight into changing dental plan designs.
Teresa Duncan
9:50am - 10:20am
Break with Vendors and Speakers
10:20am - 11:30am
Medicare Advantage ▾
Medicare Advantage Plans are some of the fastest changing insurance plans in the industry. One in seven citizens in the United States are over the age of 65. Does your office know enough about these plans to maximize them in your practice? Do you struggle to understand them just to have them change dramatically right after you feel you can explain them? This seminar will take the mystery out of these plans.
Course Objectives:
● Types of Medicare Advantage Plans Offered.
● Why Medicare Plans matter to your Dental Practice.
● How to understand and organize them in your Practice.
● How to determine what plans will be offered in your area in the coming year.
● Ways to point your patients to the plans you want them to accept.
Colleen Huff
11:30am - 12:00pm
Reducing Administrative Burdens and Advocating for Positive Change – ADA Strategy Update ▾
Rebekah Fiehn and Chad Olson will share positions and updates from the American Dental Association.
Chad Olson & Rebekah Fiehn
12:00pm - 1:30pm
Lunch and Tour
1:30pm - 2:30pm
Current Documentation and Coding Best Practices ▾
Mastering Coding for Fewer Denials
This session focuses on practical documentation and coding best practices to reduce claim denials and improve reimbursements. Designed for beginners and advanced coders, the course will address key pain points, including the dos and don’ts of accurate documentation. Attendees will learn to avoid common errors, strengthen their coding processes, and comply with current standards. Expect actionable pro tips that can be applied immediately to help streamline workflows and achieve better outcomes.
Learning Objectives:
● Understand the most common documentation and coding mistakes that lead to denials.
● Learn what good documentation really looks like and how to achieve it.
● Know how to select the right codes for procedures to keep claims clean.
● Recognize patterns that cause denials and how to prevent them.
● Leave with practical tips you can start using right away to improve your processes.
Estela Vargas, CRDH
2:30pm - 3:00pm
Break with Vendors and Speakers
3:00pm - 3:30pm
Dental Carrier Perspectives and Insights: Bridging the Gap ▾
Explore dental benefit plans from the carrier's perspective. Using survey results from AADOM members, participants will gain insights into administrative challenges faced by both providers and payers in the dental industry. By sharing perspectives and promoting understanding, participants will learn strategies to streamline processes and improve patient care.
Learning Objectives:
● Discover how dental insurance contributes to the healthcare landscape.
● Discuss how to foster collaboration between dental providers and insurance carriers.
Jerry Berggren, MBA & Michael Adelberg, MPA, MA
3:30pm - 4:30pm
Panel with Speakers and Insurance Representatives
4:30pm
Wrap Up & Raffle
Meet & Greet with Peers, Vendors, & Sponsors
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Breakfast: 8:00am - 9:00am
9:00am - 12:00pm
Monday Morning Strategies For The Dental Leader ▾
Expand on your deep dive day of insurance with this energizing course led by leadership expert Laura Nelson. This three-hour session will bridge the gap between knowledge and implementation and provide actionable strategies for Monday morning.
Course Objectives:
● Effective change management techniques and communication strategies.
● Increase buy-in from the doctor and team members.
● This focused training will prepare you to be a confident change leader who can successfully guide your team through revenue cycle improvements while maintaining operational excellence.
Laura Nelson
9:00am - 12:00pm
Dental Revenue Network's Billing Breakfast
Special Saturday Opportunity! ▾
If you own or work for a billing company, then you are welcome to attend a Billing Breakfast hosted by Teresa Duncan. Her Dental Revenue Network membership gathers RCM leaders together to discuss trends and strategies. You must be a member to attend.
This is not included with AADOM Symposium registration. Separate Registration is required: https://www.odysseymgmt.com/drn-breakfast
Teresa Duncan
What to Expect
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO
Where to Stay
For your convenience, here are three hotels with less than an 8 minute drive to the event venue and only a 15 minute drive to the airport:
Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles - AADOM ROOM BLOCK AVAILABLE!
14750 Conference Center Dr, Chantilly, VA 20151
Hyatt Place Chantilly/Dulles Airport-South - promo code CR#197261
4994 Westone Plz, Chantilly, VA 20151
Holiday Inn Chantilly-Dulles Expo (Arpt), an IHG Hotel
4050 Westfax Dr., Chantilly, VA 20151
What's Included with Registration
✅ Access to All General Sessions
✅ 7.5 Continuing Education (CE) Credits
✅ Networking Opportunities – Connect with fellow dental office managers, industry leaders, and sponsors during: INCLUDED! Breakfast and Lunch on Day 1, Breakfast on Day 2 Dedicated Breaks with Vendors and Speakers
✅ Printed Event Workbook & Digital Resources – Take home key insights, session handouts, and additional learning materials.
✅ Tour of YM Dental Lab – Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at one of the leading dental labs.
✅ Vendor Exhibit Hall – Meet with top dental insurance companies and solution providers.
✅ Raffle Prizes & Giveaways – Be entered to win exclusive prizes.
Cancellation Policy
At AADOM, we understand that plans can change, and sometimes it’s necessary to cancel your attendance at our event. We have designed our cancellation policy to be fair and transparent.
Please review the following cancellation fee structure:
Cancellation Period/Refund Policy
● Now – March 31st , 2025: Full refund, minus a $100 administration fee per registration
● April 1st –18st, 2025: 50% refund, minus a $100 administration fee per registration
● After April 18th, 2025: No Refunds
Refund Process:
If you cancel within the specified timeframes mentioned above, you will receive a refund of the remaining event cost after deducting the applicable cancellation fee.
Transfers/Substitutions:
If you are unable to attend, you may only transfer your registration to another person within your practice. Transfers and reselling of AADOM Insurance Symposium registrations is prohibited. Please see cancellation and refund policy above for refund schedule.
Force Majeure:
AADOM will not be held responsible for any costs or damages incurred due to circumstances beyond our control, such as natural disasters, strikes, or other unforeseen events.
Requesting Cancellation: To cancel your registration, please contact our customer support team by email at info@dentalmanagers.com
Review and Acknowledgment:
By registering for our event, you acknowledge and agree to this cancellation policy.
Please note that the cancellation fee percentages and timeframes mentioned above are subject to change based on the specific event and its terms. We recommend reviewing the event registration details for the most accurate information regarding cancellations and refunds.
If you have any questions or need further clarification regarding our cancellation policy, please do not hesitate to contact us. We value your participation and look forward to welcoming you to our event.
YM Dental Lab
14100 Park Meadow Dr #100, Chantilly, VA 20151
SPONSORS
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors
Main Sponsors
Event Sponsors
Thank You to Our Sponsors!
Reserve your spot today and be part of the inaugural AADOM Insurance Symposium.
Space is limited, and early registration is highly encouraged.
info@dentalmanagers.com
(732) 842-9977
© 2025 American Association of Dental Office Managers (AADOM)