What's happening with out of network benefits?
Insurance Untangled
Are out-of-network insurance benefits getting better or worse? In this episode, Naren Arulrajah talks with dental insurance expert Ben Tuinei about the major changes happening in the dental world. They break down why more dentists are dropping insurance plans and how employers are pushing for stronger out-of-network benefits. Ben also shares what the future could look like for dental practices, including the possible return of old-school indemnity plans and what to expect as insurance companies try to hold on. If you're thinking about going out of network, this episode is packed with real...
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Reasons Why Most Practices Struggle to Grow
Insurance Untangled
Why do so many dental practices work harder year after year, yet still feel like they’re falling behind? In this eye-opening episode, Ben Tuinei sits down with marketing expert Naren Arulrajah to redefine what real growth means for dental practices. It's not just about attracting more patients, it's about attracting the right ones. Naren explains why depending on PPOs and price-driven advertising can actually shrink your profitability, and how practices can shift toward high-value, treatment-accepting patients who truly value dentistry. From SEO strategies that actually work to building...
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Success in Dentistry is a Team Effort
Insurance Untangled
Is your dental practice stuck in a cycle of doing everything yourself? In this insightful episode of Insurance Untangled, co-hosts Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah dive into why the most successful dental practices thrive on collaboration, not isolation. Naren introduces the concept of interdependence, a powerful business mindset shift that empowers practice owners to focus on what they do best and delegate the rest. From hiring the right marketing partner to building an empowered team, this episode explores how smart collaboration can elevate your practice, attract your ideal patients, and help...
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The complexities of PPO Fee Negotiations in 2025
Insurance Untangled
In this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei and Tessina Bullock break down the current state of PPO fee negotiations in 2025. They explain why it’s more important than ever to build your insurance profile, understand your leverage, and pay attention to hidden issues like code downgrades and umbrella networks. You’ll learn simple, step-by-step tips to start negotiating smarter—whether you go it alone or work with a pro. Plus, discover how the right marketing strategy can help you attract better patients and reduce your insurance dependence for good.
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How to Grow Your Dental Practice in Uncertain Times
Insurance Untangled
How do you grow your dental practice when the economy feels shaky and patients are pulling back? In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah answer the five biggest questions dentists are asking about growth during uncertain times. From rising costs to changing patient expectations, they break down what’s really happening — and what you can do about it. Learn how to attract better patients, build lasting relationships, and use simple marketing strategies that work — even when others are shrinking. This is a must-listen if you’re ready to stop spinning your wheels and start growing...
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The 80/20 Rule in Marketing Your Dental Practice
Insurance Untangled
In Episode 116 of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah explore how the 80/20 rule can transform your dental practice. Learn why just 20% of your efforts lead to 80% of your results—and how to stop wasting time and money on marketing that doesn’t work. Naren shares a simple framework to help patients find you, like you, and trust you, using real examples and clear, no-fluff advice. You’ll also hear mindset lessons from sports greats like Phil Jackson and Michael Jordan, showing how focus and consistency create long-term success. Whether you’re stuck in insurance traps or...
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Personality Assessment and Training - Building a Team Culture that Thrives
Insurance Untangled
Are the right people in the right roles on your dental team? In this episode of Insurance Untangled, host Ben Tuinei sits down with Christina Jones, dental coach and co-founder of New Wave Dental Solutions to explore how DISC personality assessments can transform team dynamics in a dental practice. Christina shares her journey from dental assistant to coach, and explains how understanding personality profiles leads to better role alignment, improved communication, stronger culture, and even increased profitability. Whether you're struggling with team morale or want to boost office efficiency,...
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AI Is Changing How Patients Find You—Everything You Need to Know to Adapt & Thrive!
Insurance Untangled
In this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah dive deep into the shifting landscape of digital search and what AI means for your dental practice. Learn how "zero-click" searches, Google's evolving algorithms, and AI tools are already influencing whether patients find and choose your practice—often without ever clicking your website. From Google EEAT to voice search trends, this episode unpacks what it takes to stand out online in 2025 and beyond.
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Doing More High-Value Cases to Reduce Your Dependence on Insurance
Insurance Untangled
Are you feeling stuck in a cycle of packed schedules and low profitability? In this powerful episode of the Insurance Untangled podcast, co-hosts Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah explore the essential strategies every dental practice must know to attract more high-value cases and reduce their reliance on PPOs. Many dentists find themselves overwhelmed with a packed schedule but minimal profitability, this episode reveals why that happens and how to reverse it.
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Hiring Associates: What to consider to find and retain the best talent
Insurance Untangled
In this episode, Ben Tuinei welcomes back expert guest Perrin DesPortes to dive into the real reasons so many dental practices struggle to recruit and keep great associates. They share why hiring reactively leads to mistakes, and how a proactive recruiting mindset can completely change the game. You'll learn how to build a practice associates want to join—and stay with—from smart compensation models to culture, mentorship, and even ownership. Whether you’re growing or tired of the “revolving door,” this episode gives you a proven path forward.
info_outlineAre PPO plans quietly controlling your practice? In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren dive into how PPOs can feel like an addiction—pulling you in with the promise of more patients, but slowly taking away your freedom, your profits, and your peace of mind.
They talk about the real struggles dentists face when trying to drop insurance plans—like fear of losing patients or not staying busy. But they also share how this cycle can be broken. It starts with marketing. When you bring in new patients who aren't tied to PPOs, you start to take back control.
You’ll hear a real story of a dentist who doubled her income while working fewer days—just by using smart marketing and letting go of bad PPO contracts one at a time. It's not about quitting everything overnight. It's about building a better path forward, step by step.
If you feel stuck and want a way out, this episode gives you hope, a plan, and the push to start making changes that will free your practice from the grip of insurance.