x

75% of people globally want unbiased news (Pew Research) but are concerned they're not getting that.

Get balanced coverage with Symby. See how stories are covered across diverse outlets and spot when one side covers a story the other skips.

PODCAST

Insurance Untangled

Naren Arulrajah

Are you tired of feeling chained to insurance companies and their restrictive policies? As a dentist, you have the skills and expertise to provide top-notch patient care, but insurance dependence may be holding you back. By reducing your reliance on insurance, you can take control of your practice, increase profitability, and provide the highest quality care without limitations. Join us weekly as we dive into a topic related to insurance negotiations and working with insurance providers. Our expert

business business news

All Episodes

21:58

3 Goals to Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/12/24

In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah explore three actionable goals for dental practices to thrive in 2025. The discussion emphasizes setting a 10% annual growth target, leveraging cost-effective SEO strategies over PPO plans, and fostering a metrics-driven practice culture. Practical insights, including using champions for hygiene and production goals, were shared to improve practice efficiency and profitability. The episode highlights the importance of Google reviews and metrics-focused

en

20:21

What do you do with negative reviews?

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/12/17

In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah discuss strategies for managing negative reviews and leveraging positive feedback to enhance your dental practice's online reputation. They explore mindset shifts for handling criticism, the importance of consistent Google reviews, and actionable steps to increase visibility through SEO. Naren also shares insights on addressing illegitimate reviews and highlights the value of responding professionally to all feedback. For practices struggling to

en

23:02

Phone Experience is Vital to Your Practice Health

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/12/10

In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah explore the critical role of phone experience in dental practice success. They reveal that the average practice converts only 33% of new patient calls, emphasizing the importance of tracking conversion rates to improve performance. The discussion highlights common mistakes made by staff and leadership, strategies for creating a positive first impression, and the necessity of using metrics for continuous improvement. They also discuss how investing in

en

37:39

Insurance Strategies to consider for 2025

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/12/03

In this episode, Ben, Jordon, and Tessina dive into the issues in the dental insurance world, offering fresh strategies to help practices break free from PPO reliance. They explore key topics like mastering negotiation with insurance companies, the booming trend of dental membership plans, and how AI is reshaping claims processing. Tessina and Jordon share insights, including how membership plan patients spend more and say “yes” to treatment more often, while insurance often blocks patient care. The

en

20:01

The Best Offense is the Best Defense

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/11/26

In this episode, Naren and Ben discuss the true cost of being in-network with PPO plans and the misconception that insurance companies are effective marketing tools. They explain how PPO write-offs can be considered a hidden marketing expense, often totaling thousands of dollars over the life of a patient. Naren stresses the importance of diversifying marketing strategies, such as SEO, Google Ads, and social media, to reduce dependence on PPO plans. They also compare marketing costs, highlighting

en

21:20

Usual and Customary Fee trends and How setting fees...

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/11/19

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

en

21:02

Your Marketing Blueprint to Make 2025 Your Best Year Yet

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/11/12

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

en

26:33

Negotiating with Insurance through associations,...

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/11/05

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

en

24:55

Can I charge patients an upgrade for Added-Value...

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/10/29

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

en

23:50

New PPO Fee Negotiating Trends to consider

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/10/22

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

en

18:36

Three Things You Must Know About Marketing

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/10/15

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

en

26:54

Is PPO Fee A Marketing Expense?

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/10/01

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

en

27:19

The Truth about What Your Marketing Company Owes You!

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/09/24

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

en

29:04

An insider's view of insurance and ideas on how to...

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/09/17

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

en

14:18

How to appropriately handle insurance denials

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/09/10

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

en

25:15

The Difference Between An Effective Website And A...

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/09/03

In this episode, we focus on understanding the differences between effective and poor dental practice websites. The discussion highlights the importance of creating a website that acts as a "home away from home" for potential patients. Key elements include attracting the right audience, such as those seeking healthy smiles or aesthetic improvements, and convincing them to choose your practice. The conversation emphasizes the need for ranking well on Google, using educational content, showcasing real

en

17:29

What's one of the trending problems you see among...

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/08/27

In this episode, we focus on the practice management software in dental offices. The top software options mentioned include Open Dental, Dentrix, Eaglesoft, and SoftDent. Tessina Bullock highlights a common issue where offices struggle due to the underutilization of their software, often performing tasks manually instead. This inefficiency leads to stress and errors among staff. She emphasizes the importance of utilizing software capabilities such as automation for treatment plans and insurance

en

29:07

A View on "Normal" Marketing vs "Exceptional" Marketing

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/08/20

In this episode, we explore the difference between normal and exceptional marketing. Just as in sports, where only a small percentage of athletes achieve extraordinary success, dental practices also vary in their marketing effectiveness. The discussion reveals that while most practices recognize the need for new patients, many lack a solid marketing plan, with 41% having none and 15% unsure. The conversation underscores the importance of having a strategic plan, understanding key metrics, and

en

15:46

Primary and Secondary/Coordinating of Benefits

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/08/13

In this episode, Tessina, an insurance expert, discusses the complexities of Coordinating Benefits (COB) and provides practical advice for dental practices. She highlights common misunderstandings caused by insurance companies and emphasizes the importance of understanding COB policies. Tessina outlines a three-step process to simplify COB: know the coordination type, use usual and customary rates (UCR) in patient ledgers, and adjust write-offs after receiving the secondary explanation of benefits

en

15:53

Insurance Contracts Are Changing. What To Look Out For.

Insurance Untangled ·

2024/08/06

In this episode, the focus is on recent changes in insurance contracts affecting dental practices. Key shifts include extended termination notice periods, now ranging from 120 to 180 days, compared to the traditional 60 to 90 days. This change is a response to the increasing number of doctors leaving insurance networks. Additionally, new contracts are introducing minimum participation requirements of 12 to 24 months, with some extending to 36 months. These modifications reflect a trend by insurance

en

143 results

Similar Podcasts

TaxTalent.com The Golden Rule Podcast

Adam Golden

TaxTalent.com Podcast

Tony Santiago

Automotive News Daily Drive

Automotive News

Bloomberg Talks

Bloomberg

The Best One Yet

Nick & Jack Studios