In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah talk about one of the most common questions dental practices face from potential new patients: "Do you take my insurance?" They emphasize the importance of proper call training to address this question effectively and convert inquiries into appointments. Gary shares a case study of a practice that im…

This episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast focuses on "Recession Proofing Your Dental Practice." Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share straightforward tips to help dental practices thrive during challenging economic times. They emphasize building patient trust, creating a relationship-driven environment, and providing unique reasons for …

In this episode, Gary and Naren dive into strategies for "Recession Proofing Your Dental Practice." They explore the reality that dental practices are often viewed as expendable by insurance companies, leading to unfair reimbursement rates and restrictive policies. Gary shares insights from working with over 400 practices that have successfully tra…

Ever wondered how to Improve Your Practice Without Completely Committing To Fee-for-Service? Gary and Naren take on a discussion throughout this episode about ways to improve a dental practice without fully committing to a fee-for-service model. They address the benefits of gradually reducing participation in PPO plans, allowing practices to increa…

In this episode, co-hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss the rising appeal of fee-for-service dental care as inflation and economic challenges strain insurance-based practices. They explore how increasing costs, especially in wages, and declining reimbursements from PPOs are pushing many dentists to consider dropping insurance plans altoge…

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah explore whether potential new patients exist who are unaffected by a soft economy. They discuss how certain high-value dental services, such as implant restorations, smile makeovers, and sleep apnea treatments, remain in demand despite economic downturns. They…

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah explore the concept of a hybrid dental practice model. They begin by discussing the definition of a hybrid model, which involves a mix of participating in some PPO insurance plans while also offering fee-for-service care. For many dental practices, the journey…

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence podcast, Gary Takacs interviews Dr. Bill Hang about the crucial topic of airway awareness in dentistry. Dr. Hang emphasizes the link between airway function and overall health, urging dentists to recognize signs of airway issues in their patients. He discusses strategies for integrating airway assess…

In the latest episode of the Less Insurance Dependence podcast, co-hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah explore what it truly means to be part of the top 1% of dental practices and how to reach that elite status. Throughout the conversation, Gary shares seven key strategies that can propel practices to the top level, hinting at several specific go…

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah explore strategies for staying motivated as dental practices transition out of PPO networks. They emphasize that this journey is more of a marathon than a sprint, with practices seeing gradual improvements as they reduce their dependence on insurance. The key …

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah focus on the five major expense categories that, when managed effectively, can substantially improve a dental practice's profitability. These categories account for 85% of a practice's expenses. They stress that effective management of these key expenses can l…

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, co-hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah explore the concept of creating a memorable and impactful new patient experience in dental practices. They emphasize the importance of designing an experience that aligns with patient expectations while achieving the practice's goals for comprehensive…

In this Episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah emphasize the importance of strategic growth for dental practices, especially those looking to reduce their reliance on PPO plans. The hosts stress that strategic growth is vital for any dental practice, as staying stagnant is not an option due to inflation an…

In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss the critical topic of resigning from PPO plans to improve work-life balance. They explore why reducing insurance dependence is vital for dentists seeking a more fulfilling and sustainable practice. Dentists often face challenges such as low reimbursement rates and increased patient loads asso…

In this episode, Gary and Naren explore the critical importance of making new patients feel valued and welcomed from their very first interaction with your practice. With rising competition and the ongoing need to reduce dependence on PPO plans, it's more important than ever to "roll out the red carpet" for new patients. A key factor in this proces…

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah address the common issue of team resistance when transitioning to a less insurance-dependent practice. They discuss practical strategies for managing team members' fears and concerns, highlighting the importance of clear communication, ongoing training, and ma…

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss "Negotiated Fee Schedules: Truth or Fiction." Historically, until around 2011 or 2012, dentists had some success negotiating fees with PPO plans. However, in recent years, insurance companies have largely stopped negotiating fees, leaving dentists with…

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast titled "Fee Setting Guidelines," hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah go deep into the crucial topic of how to set fees in a dental practice effectively. They begin by emphasizing the importance of regularly updating fees, particularly in an inflationary economy, to ensure that dental practi…

In this Episode of the Less Insurance Dependence podcast, Gary Takacs is joined by guest Jordan Comstock to discuss the importance and implementation of in-office membership plans. Gary emphasizes the significance of these plans, particularly for dental practices aiming to reduce dependence on PPOs. He introduces Jordan, the CEO of BoomCloud, a com…

In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss a critical topic for dental practices: controlling overhead. They begin by discussing the essential aspects of overhead, defining it as all necessary expenses to run a practice, excluding the dentist’s compensation. For solo practices, they recomm…

In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah delve into the critical topic of balancing profitability and serving those in need within a dental practice. The central topic of this episode is the idea that it is possible to have a profitable practice while serving those in need. Naren shares his exp…

In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah dive into the essential strategies for attracting high-value patients to a dental practice. They open the discussion by emphasizing the importance of reducing insurance dependence, aiming to transform practices. The episode's primary focus is on high-val…

In this milestone 300th episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, listeners are treated to the success stories of three guests at different stages of their journey toward reducing insurance dependence. Dale, Gina, and Peter share their unique experiences, lessons learned, and invaluable insights for fellow dentists. They discuss what has wo…

In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, host Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss crucial payment details when resigning from PPO plans. They aim to alleviate the common anxieties dentists face when transitioning away from insurance dependence. The core topic of this episode delves into the logistics of payment collection post-…

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, hosts Naren Arulrajah and Gary Takacs discuss effective strategies for communicating with patients about the value of being out of network. The primary focus is on framing the conversation to highlight the benefits for the patients, encapsulated by the principle of WII-FM (What's In It For M…

In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah tackle the question of why PPO plans have not raised fees or yearly maximums in 25 years. They attribute this stagnation to insurance companies' greed, emphasizing the industry's profit-driven nature. Despite this, they offer insights and strategies for …

In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, hosts Gary Takas and Naren Arulrajah discuss the feasibility and implications of dropping PPO plans within 12 months. Gary highlights that while it is possible to resign from PPO plans quickly, success depends heavily on a practice's preparation. He emphasizes the importance of transitioning…

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, hosts Naren Arulrajah and Gary Takacs focus on the ten key performance indicators (KPIs) that define a thriving and profitable dental practice. They highlight the importance of these KPIs in measuring and improving various aspects of a dental practice. First, they discuss the importance of n…

In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah explore strategies for maintaining profitability after dropping PPO plans. They emphasize the dual approach of increasing revenues and decreasing expenses, noting that eliminating the high overhead of PPO adjustments is crucial. Gary advises focusing on buildi…

In this episode of the "Less Insurance Dependence" podcast, hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah tackle the pressing question: Can Your Practice Truly Survive Without Insurance? The episode elaborates on four questions sent in by listeners, addressing various aspects of dealing with insurance companies, particularly focusing on Delta Dental. Gary …

In this episode of "The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast," Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah engage in a detailed discussion on whether insurance companies possess the authority to establish fees for services not covered under insurance plans. They travel into the historical challenges dentists face when insurance companies dictate fees for services…

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence podcast, Gary Takas and Naren Arulrajah tackle a common dilemma faced by dental practices transitioning out of network: should they accept the assignment of benefits? They begin by elucidating the significance of this term in dental insurance processes, where accepting the assignment of benefits mean…

In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, co-hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah dive into a thought-provoking discussion on whether dentistry should be considered a profession or an industry. They acknowledge the significant influence of insurance companies on dental practices, shaping them more towards being transactional provid…

In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, hosts Gary Takas and Naren Arulrajah delve into the topic of reducing practice overhead in dentistry. They emphasize the importance of addressing rising expenses, particularly in the post-COVID era, where overhead costs have surged due to inflation and increasing wages. The hosts present a c…

In this podcast episode, hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss the importance of offering high-value services like cosmetic dentistry to attract new patients and improve practice profitability. They share tips for dentists interested in expanding their services, such as joining professional organizations and using effective marketing strate…

Tune in to this episode of the "Less Insurance Dependence" podcast, where hosts Naren Arulrajah and Gary Takacs provide a sneak preview of possible benefits reform in dental insurance. Drawing from Gary's insightful interview with Dr. Brett Kessler, president-elect of the American Dental Association (ADA), they delve into the pressing topic of bene…

Join Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah on the "Less Insurance Dependence" podcast as they delve into the often-overlooked benefits of resigning from PPO plans. In this enlightening episode, learn how freeing yourself from PPO entanglements can lead to increased profitability, more time for patient care, and a happier workplace environment. Gain valua…

In this podcast episode, Gary and Naren share a recap of the recent webinar with Dental Intel on the topic of Secrets to Thriving in Dentistry in 2024 and Beyond. Tune into this episode to learn further about the five proven strategies to make 2024 your best year yet, to learn about the data collected by Dental Intel working with 10,000 practices, …

In this podcast episode, Gary and Naren expose the hidden costs and restrictions of PPO umbrella plans. Learn how to break free and take control of your practice's profitability. You can also discover success stories and 3 key steps to resigning from PPO plans strategically. Listen now and escape the PPO Umbrella Nightmare!…

The Less Insurance Dependence podcast episode titled "How Adding High-Value Services Makes You Less Insurance Dependent" delves into the significance of incorporating high-value services, particularly cosmetic dentistry, into dental practices. Hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulraja stress the economic drawbacks of relying heavily on insurance plans, …

In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence podcast, co-hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah delve into the topic of what it truly means to be fee-for-service (FFS) in dentistry. They emphasize that being FFS entails charging your full fees and receiving them directly from patients without involvement from insurance companies. They address co…

In this episode, Gary and Naren tackle ‘The Top 10 Questions from RIDA Members, Part 2’. They stress the importance of addressing patient concerns directly when resigning from PPO plans, provide strategies for deciding which plan to drop first, get team buy-in, estimate out-of-network fees, and proactively replace lost patients through effective ma…

In this podcast episode, Gary and Naren address the top 10 questions from RIDA members on transitioning from PPO plans. They discuss the timeframe for the transition, fee adjustments by Delta Dental, costs of SEO versus Google Ads patients, secrets to low-cost SEO patients, and evaluating readiness to resign from PPO plans. Practical insights and s…

Discover how Gary's real-life practice story can help you explore the benefits of oral conscious sedation in dentistry. By focusing on high-value services like oral conscious sedation, you can attract patients outside PPO plans while also easing dental fears. Learn about the importance of SEO in attracting anxious patients for comprehensive care an…

Gary and Naren explore the fallout of SmileDirectClub's collapse, drawing parallels to the pitfalls of the DIY mindset. Through anecdotes and case studies, they caution against undertaking complex tasks without proper expertise. Discover the risks of navigating unfamiliar territory alone and the importance of seeking professional guidance in this e…

In this episode, Gary explores the crucial link between mastering marketing and successfully resigning from PPO plans. By framing insurance write-offs as a strategic marketing expense, he reveals a path to acquiring new patients while minimizing losses. Drawing on practical examples, the episode emphasizes the transformative impact of redirecting m…

Gary and Naren explore whether being a PPO provider truly supports work-life balance. This episode challenges the belief that PPO status aligns with equilibrium, emphasizing the sacrifices practitioners make. Discover actionable steps to reclaim balance and why cutting ties with PPO plans might be the key to professional success and personal well-b…

In this episode, Gary and Naren discuss the vital need for dental practices to reassess fee schedules, moving away from heavy reliance on PPO plans. They highlight the impact of stagnant fees on profitability and offer strategies for recalibrating prices to reflect fair value and cover rising costs. Explore insights into attracting non-PPO patients…

In this episode, Gary and Naren explore BHAGs (Big Hairy Audacious Goals) in business, inspired by Jim Collins and Peter Diamandis. They center on dentistry's BHAG: quitting PPO plans for practice success. Gary emphasizes the strategic impact and offers actionable steps for reducing insurance reliance, guiding dentists toward transformative changes…

Gary and Naren discuss Dr. Cialdini's unity principle. They highlight its power through initiatives like supplying NFL-grade mouthguards to local teams and creating strong community connections. They contrast this supportive unity with skepticism in traditional dental circles, emphasizing unity's transformative impact on dental practices.…