Consider Molly Sims and her best friend Emese Gormley your new girlfriends on speed dial for all your pressing beauty and wellness needs. Is Botox a good idea? Should you try that new diet you saw on the Today Show? Molly and Emese have your back. With guests ranging from top health and beauty experts to their industry friends, you’ll get the scoop on the latest trends, which products and procedures to try, and which to run from-- and they just might be doing it all with a drink in hand. Prepare to be obsessed.
There is an underlying precept in our country’s healthcare system that medical professionals can only survive through increased participation in insurance programs. The Less Insurance Dependence podcast series exposes that misperception, shedding light on how Dentists can thrive by breaking out of the insurance-controlled business model.
There is an underlying precept in our country’s healthcare system that medical professionals can only survive through increased participation in insurance programs. The Less Insurance Dependence podcast series exposes that misperception, shedding light on how Dentists can thrive by breaking out of the insurance-controlled business model.
Are you tired of PPOs cutting into your hard-earned revenue? Many dentists feel stuck relying on insurance companies for patients—while sacrificing profits. But what if you could take control and bring in patients on your own? In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss the 5 key areas of a marketing audit that can help determine whether your practice is ready to reduce PPO dependence. You’ll learn how to check your Google rankings, online consistency (NAP score), website performance (Lighthouse score), credibility (E-E-A-T), and review growth (Google Review Velocity). By understanding these essential marketing factors, you can replace insurance-driven patients with high-quality ones who value your care—all while lowering marketing costs. If you’ve ever wondered, “Is my practice ready to go out of network?” this episode gives you the answers. Tune in now and take the first step toward insurance freedom! Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, co-hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss "Three Tips to Significantly Increase Your Conversion Rate." They define conversion rate as the percentage of new patient calls resulting in booked appointments, sharing benchmarks, and grading scales for assessment. Highlighting the importance of tracking and training, they stress the need for recording and reviewing calls to identify improvement areas. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
In this episode, Naren and Gary explore the insurance company business model and its impact on dental practices and the broader public, highlighting recent events, including systemic issues like AI-driven claim denials, that have placed the insurance industry under scrutiny. They emphasize how these practices reveal insurers' priority to collect premiums while minimizing claims payouts, often at the expense of policyholders. They will also share how this trend affects dental insurance and advocate for educating patients on the limitations of their plans while positioning practices as genuinely caring about their patients' health. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
This episode of "The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast" explores how staying in-network with PPO insurance can significantly impact a dental practice's profitability and overall net worth. Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss the hidden costs of insurance adjustments, which can amount to 45-50% of collections, reducing practice profitability and valuation. They illustrate this with real examples, emphasizing how becoming out-of-network can dramatically increase a practice's profitability, making it more desirable and valuable in the market. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
This episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast highlights the importance of proactive marketing when transitioning away from PPO plans. Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss three key strategies: setting bold goals for collections and new patient numbers, implementing a comprehensive marketing plan, and targeting the resignation of at least one PPO plan in 2025. They emphasize the risks of neglecting marketing, likening it to unused muscles that atrophy, sharing real examples of practices successfully leveraging organic SEO for consistent patient growth, and urging listeners to plan to avoid disruptions and achieve sustainable success. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
This episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast addresses the growing impact of AI-driven auto-denial insurance claims and how dental practices can adapt. Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss how insurance companies use AI to increase profits by automating claim denials, making it challenging for dental practices to receive payments. They highlight the financial imbalance in the dental insurance model, where only insurance companies benefit, and urge dentists to reduce their dependence on PPO plans, as reform is unlikely. They also emphasize focusing on what practices can be controlled to achieve financial and operational stability. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
Ever wondered how the journey of reducing insurance dependence began? In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share the inspiring story behind the podcast’s creation seven years ago. They discuss how a niche focus on helping dentists successfully resign from PPO plans has empowered over 400 practices nationwide. From the pitfalls of DIY strategies to the transformational impact of personalized coaching, this episode highlights steps to make 2025 your most profitable year yet. Tune in for more on building a thriving, fee-for-service practice and putting insurance dependence in the rearview mirror! Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, co-hosts Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss the growing trend of dental insurance claim denials. They explore how insurance companies are increasing claim rejections, requesting excessive documentation, and leveraging policies like wait periods to reduce benefits utilization. They emphasize that these practices prioritize profits over patient care, creating challenges for dentists and patients alike. Gary and Naren encourage dentists to reduce their reliance on Insurance, highlighting the benefits of resigning from PPO plans and attracting patients without Insurance, stressing the importance of building strong patient relationships to sustain a thriving, independent dental practice. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
In this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss whether dental insurance will undergo significant changes in 2025. Gary highlights the historical context and entrenched profit-driven practices of insurance companies and explains why a major overhaul is unlikely. However, minor legislative improvements, such as prohibiting insurers from setting fees on uncovered services, might occur. Book a free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa and discover how we can help you leverage reviews to attract more patients! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
Find out the impact of Google Reviews on reducing PPO dependence through this episode of The Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, where Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah share how modern consumer behavior is reshaping dental marketing. They explore why fewer patients rely on insurance company websites and instead turn to Google to find top-rated dental practices. Learn how having numerous positive reviews influences patient decisions and enhances your online presence, which is a mindset shift for dentists, focusing on Google strategies rather than PPO participation. Book a free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa and discover how we can help you leverage reviews to attract more patients! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
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 improved its call conversion rate from 25% to 75% through focused training, highlighting the impact on new patient numbers without increasing marketing costs. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
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 patients to choose your practice, such as state-of-the-art technology and a focus on prevention. The episode also highlights the pitfalls of relying heavily on dental insurance networks and encourages practices to attract patients who value quality care. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
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 transitioned away from PPO plans, emphasizing the power dentists have when they choose to operate independently of insurance constraints. This discussion offers a blueprint for building a thriving, resilient dental practice that prioritizes fair treatment for patients and providers, regardless of economic downturns or industry pressures. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
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 increase profitability while maintaining flexibility. Gary shares a compelling case study of a dental practice that successfully transitioned out of PPO networks, increasing collections and reducing overhead. Tune in and get inspired to make small, impactful changes that could transform your practice’s future. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Plus, at the end of the session, get a free analysis report to find out where your practice stands online. It's our gift to you! https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/…
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 altogether. By reducing insurance dependence, dentists can regain control over their fees, enhance practice profitability, and offer high-quality care. This episode highlights the benefits of transitioning to fee-for-service as a sustainable path to a thriving, independent dental practice.…
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