Fighting the Culture of Insurance Claim Denials in Dentistry
Insurance Untangled
In this episode of Insurance Untangled, Ben Tuinei is joined once again by insurance expert Tessina Bullock. Together, they dive into one of the most frustrating issues dental teams face today — the rising culture of insurance claim denials. From scaling and root planing (SRP) denials to unfair bundling of buildups and other procedures, Ben and Tessina break down what’s really happening and why so many valid claims are getting rejected. They also share smart ways to appeal denials, how to hold insurance companies accountable, and when to report trends to the ADA and your insurance...
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Do Dentists Really Have to Stay Trapped by PPOs?
Insurance Untangled
In this episode of the Insurance Untangled Podcast, Naren Arulrajah and Ben Tuinei dive into one of the biggest challenges in dentistry: the feeling of being trapped by PPOs. They discuss the emotional and financial toll of insurance dependence, why many dentists fear leaving PPO networks, and practical strategies to regain control and profitability. You’ll hear real examples, including a dentist who doubled her income while working fewer days, and actionable insights into how SEO, Google reviews, and smart marketing can help you build a fee-for-service practice that thrives without...
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Do You Have a PPO Exit Strategy?
Insurance Untangled
In this powerful episode of the Insurance Untangled Podcast, co-hosts Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah break down what it really means to have a PPO exit strategy. If you're a dentist feeling stuck with shrinking reimbursements and rising administrative work from insurance companies, this episode is for you. Ben and Naren walk through the steps to evaluate which PPO plans are helping or hurting your bottom line and share how marketing can replace low-value patients with ones who value your care and pay full fees. If you’ve been thinking about cutting ties with insurance—or just want to...
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Umbrella network changes today that will impact you tomorrow
Insurance Untangled
In this episode of Insurance Untangled, host Ben Tunei breaks down urgent 2025 changes in umbrella networks — also known as leasing or rental networks — and how they impact your PPO contracts, fee schedules, and in-network status. Learn how insurance companies like MetLife, Cigna, and Delta Dental use these networks to lower your reimbursements without notice. Ben shares smart, practical tips to help you protect your income, reduce insurance dependence, and make informed decisions when new network announcements hit your inbox. If you want to stay ahead of shifting insurance strategies and...
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Getting Back to the Basics: Why Foundational Marketing Matters for Every Dental Practice
Insurance Untangled
In this episode of Insurance Untangled, host Ben Tunei sits down with co-host and marketing expert Naren Arulrajah to talk about one thing every dental practice needs: strong marketing basics. They break down what really works in 2025, like how to build a website that turns visitors into real patients, why SEO is a long-term win, and how Google Ads can help when you need patients fast. Naren also explains why dentists shouldn’t rely too much on social media for new patients, and instead focus on things that bring real results. Whether you're starting fresh or just want to make sure you're...
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Spending Time Building Relationships with Patients Can Help You Reduce Your Dependence on PPOs!
Insurance Untangled
In this episode of the Insurance Untangled Podcast, hosts Naren Arulrajah and Ben Tunei discuss how slowing down and spending more time building real relationships with your patients can help you reduce your dependence on PPOs, increase profitability, and rediscover the joy in dentistry. Learn how patient trust leads to stronger case acceptance, happier teams, and lasting practice growth. Featuring practical insights, personal stories, and proven strategies, this episode is a must-listen for dentists who want to build a thriving, relationship-driven, fee-for-service practice.
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Why Dentists Are Going Out of Network with Dental Insurance
Insurance Untangled
In this episode of Insurance Untangled, hosts Ben Tuinei and Tessina Bullock talk about why more dentists are walking away from insurance networks. They share the top reasons behind this shift — like unfair SRP denials, confusing contract limits, and low reimbursement rates that make it hard for doctors to give the care patients deserve. Ben and Tessina also explain how insurance companies’ policies often go against what’s best for patients and practices. They show why going out of network can give dentists more freedom, better income, and peace of mind while helping patients get the...
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SEO is complicated, but here's why it can work in your favor!
Insurance Untangled
SEO is often seen as complicated and overwhelming, but in this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah break down why it can be your dental practice’s most powerful tool. Discover why there’s no quick fix in SEO, the key benchmarks every dentist should measure, and how Google’s shift to AI-driven search is changing the game. You’ll also learn practical ways to attract ideal patients, reduce dependence on PPOs, and position your practice for long-term growth.
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Why Many Dental Practices Struggle to Grow (and How to Break Through the 2–5 Patient Barrier)
Insurance Untangled
Are you stuck getting only 2 to 5 new patients a month? In this episode, Ben talks with marketing expert Naren about why some dental practices struggle to grow—while others are booked solid. They explore real reasons growth stalls, like poor online visibility, weak reviews, and low phone conversion. You’ll also hear simple strategies that can help you attract more of the right patients. If you’re ready to break through that plateau and finally see steady growth, this episode gives you the mindset and tools to make it happen.
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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...
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.