ADA Resolution Supports Dr. Ayer’s Lawsuit Against Zelis

This ADA resolution calls for full support of Dr. Dennis Ayer’s federal antitrust lawsuit against Zelis and several major insurers accused of colluding to suppress out-of-network reimbursement rates. Backed by the Competitive Health Insurance Reform Act of 2020, which repealed McCarran-Ferguson’s antitrust exemption for health and dental insurers, this case may become the first real test of that law’s enforcement power.

Dr. Ayer’s lawsuit alleges that insurers used shared pricing data through Zelis to systematically underpay dentists for services delivered outside their networks. If proven, this conduct violates Section 1 of the Sherman Act. The ADA resolution urges action—not just in words, but through financial backing, legal collaboration, and expert data support from the ADA Health Policy Institute.


Delegates are being asked to vote in favor of a resolution that would:
Equip Dr. Ayer’s legal team with ADA analytics and testimony;
Advance fair dental reimbursement and transparency for patients;
Push the DOJ and FTC to enforce federal antitrust law under CHIRA.

This isn’t just about one case—it’s about using the tools Congress gave us to finally challenge collusive pricing practices that harm dentists and patients alike.