Insurance Untangled

In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Tessina Bullock explore the impact of usual and customary fees (UCF) on dental practice reimbursements. They discuss how setting fees at the 80th or 90th percentile can improve insurance reimbursement rates, especially in areas with high living costs like Utah. They highlight the benefits of in-office membership plans as an alternative to traditional insurance, which can increase treatment acceptance among uninsured patients. The episode closes with advice on using resources like Fair Health Consumer and the National Dental Advisory Service to set competitive fees better.

Book a free Marketing Strategy Meeting today to discover how shifting away from insurance reliance can help your practice thrive. Link - https://go.insurance-untangled.com/MSM

In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah discuss the high costs dental practices face with PPO plans, which can lead to significant financial write-offs. Naren shares the benefits of using SEO as a cost-effective alternative for patient acquisition, noting that SEO can yield 30 times the value of PPO-driven patients. He highlights key metrics for marketing success in 2025, such as tracking new patient costs, boosting keyword rankings, and improving conversion rates. This episode also emphasizes the importance of collecting Google reviews to enhance practice visibility and trust encouraging practices to rethink insurance dependency and explore digital strategies.

To take the first step toward reducing insurance dependency and attracting more high-value patients, book a free Marketing Strategy Meeting with Ekwa, where you'll receive a customized plan for tailored for your practices growth

Link - https://go.insurance-untangled.com/MSM

In this episode, Ben and Tessina discuss key issues facing dentists. They highlight the importance of flying under the radar when dealing with insurance companies, as aggressive actions can negatively impact independent practices. Tessina highlights the essential support provided by organized groups like the American Dental Association, which equips dentists with valuable resources. She also explores the benefits of the Independent Practitioner Association model, promoting collaboration among doctors to share strategies and negotiate improved terms with insurers. Overall, the episode offers insight into the challenges dentists face and the evolving nature of dental insurance, emphasizing the need for adaptation and teamwork among practitioners.

Ready to overcome the challenges of dental insurance? Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa and unlock the path to a thriving practice while reducing dependence on insurance

link - https://go.insurance-untangled.com/MSM

In this episode, Ben and Tessina explore the concept of "added value treatment" in dentistry. Tessina highlights the legal basis for such treatments and emphasizes the importance of educating patients about the benefits of advanced treatments and their fees. Tessina also discusses various treatment areas that can be upgraded, such as crowns, veneers, and night guards. She provides insights into the factors to consider when setting fees, including the cost of materials, the level of expertise required, and the reimbursement rates from insurance companies. Overall, the episode offers valuable information for dentists considering implementing upgrade fees in their practices.

Book a FREE Marketing Strategy Meeting with Ekwa and explore personalized strategies to make your practice thrive, without the reliance on insurance. Get your practice into a position where you control your fees, and not by insurance companies

Link - https://go.insurance-untangled.com/MSM

In this episode, Ben and Tessina discuss strategies for dental practices negotiating with insurance companies. They highlight that many doctors are going out of network, prompting insurance carriers to try to retain providers by raising fees or profiling practices. Tessina emphasizes that insurance companies need dentists more than vice versa and suggests that threatening to terminate contracts can be effective again. They explore the use of umbrella networks to improve fee schedules, benefiting both fee-for-service and heavily insured practices. Finally, they offer tips for new practice owners, advising them to conduct insurance due diligence early and consider strategic participation to maximize revenue.

Book your free Marketing Strategy Meeting today and discover why shifting focus from insurance negotiations to strategic marketing is the key to growing your practice—especially as more dentists go out of network, relying on effective marketing is more critical than ever to attract high-quality patients and maximize revenue.

Link - https://go.insurance-untangled.com/MSM

In this episode, Naren Arulrajah delves into essential dental marketing strategies that can transform a practice's growth. He discusses the importance of tracking the cost per new patient across various channels, using a grocery shopping analogy to explain the value of understanding marketing investments. Naren highlights the long-term benefits of SEO as a powerful strategy for attracting patients and building credibility while contrasting it with the faster but more expensive results of Google and social media ads, emphasizing the need for consistency and commitment when implementing organic social media, describing it as a long-term growth tool.

Book your free Marketing Strategy Meeting today to discover how tracking your cost per new patient, leveraging long-term SEO, and implementing consistent social media can transform your dental practice's growth.

Link - https://go.insurance-untangled.com/MSM

In this episode, Naren discusses the often-overlooked costs associated with being in-network with PPOs. The discussion emphasizes the importance of financial literacy and understanding the implications of business decisions for dentists. He explains how PPOs can control fees and payments, leading to significant write-offs for dentists. Naren emphasizes the importance of considering alternative marketing strategies, such as SEO, to attract patients without the high costs of PPOs. By reducing reliance on PPOs, dentists can gain more control over their practice, increase profitability, and provide better care to their patients.

Book a free Marketing Strategy Meeting today and discover how you can drop PPOs, while growing your patient base, and increasing profitability—all while delivering better care.

Link - https://go.insurance-untangled.com/MSM

In this episode, Naren Arulrajah emphasizes the importance of effective marketing for expanding a dental practice, starting with a visually appealing, personalized website that drives patient acquisition. Key elements for success include:

1. Showcasing awards

2. Patient testimonials

3. Clear calls to action

4. Mobile optimization

You'll be able to learn why some practices struggle to attract new patients despite good SEO, the value of call tracking and improving answering processes, and how your team can align with modern marketing strategies.

To truly maximize your practice's growth, it's crucial to regularly review and adapt your marketing strategies based on performance data. Book a free marketing strategy meeting to explore how you can leverage these insights and ensure your website and marketing efforts are driving optimal results.

Link - https://www.insuranceuntangled.org/msm/

In this episode, we explore the complexities of the dental insurance industry. Chris Torres, an Insurance expert discusses the challenges faced by dentists, including claim denials and reimbursement issues. They offer advice on improving financial situations, such as exploring alternative revenue streams and optimizing tax strategies. Additionally, they emphasize the importance of adequate insurance coverage to protect personal assets. Overall, the episode provides valuable insights for both consumers and professionals navigating the insurance landscape.

Facing challenges with claim denials and reimbursement issues? Book a Marketing Strategy Meeting to explore how enhancing your online presence and reducing your reliance on insurance can improve your practice's financial health.

Link - https://www.insuranceuntangled.org/msm/

In this episode, we focus on managing denied claims in dental practices. Tessina Bullock discusses the importance of fighting for even small claim amounts, like a $50 buildup fee, to prevent future denials. She explains how filing appeals can reduce the frequency of denials and emphasizes the role of the insurance commissioner in holding companies accountable. Tessina also highlights the long-term benefits of these efforts, even if only some appeals are successful. Additionally, Tessina shares resources on finding and filing complaints with your state's insurance commissioner.

Are you tired of battling denied claims and the frustration of insurance dependency? Imagine a dental practice where your revenue isn't tied to the whims of insurance companies. By booking a free marketing strategy meeting with us, you can learn how to attract more fee-for-service patients and reduce your reliance on insurance. Book a FREE marketing strategy meeting with EKWA and enhance your practice's financial stability.

Link - https://www.insuranceuntangled.org/msm/