You’ve probably felt it: the slow squeeze of insurance reimbursements, the rigid rules, and the rising frustration of doing more for less.
It’s tempting to say, “That’s it! I’m done.”
But before you send that contract-cutting email or mail letters to your patients announcing your out-of-network status, pause. Breathe. Then ask the six questions that separate reaction from strategy. These aren’t just about whether to go out of insurance—they’re about understanding your practice well enough to make the best informed decision for growth and profitability.
Six Questions Every Dentist Should Ask
How many of your patients have insurance?
If fewer than 30% of your active patients are tied to a plan, you may have more freedom than you think.Where are your new patients coming from?
Watch the trends. If insured patients are dropping off, it could be a sign of where your market is headed.What does your community need?
Tailor your approach to the socioeconomics and benefits structures of local employers.What are you investing in growth?
Fee-for-service models require stronger marketing muscles—are you flexing?Is your team trained to talk about insurance?
The wrong answer to “Do you take my insurance?” can cost you thousands.What kind of services do you offer?
Specialized treatments can help you stand out—making you less dependent on PPOs.
These six questions are your insurance transition compass—a way to gather facts, avoid “jerky moves,” and plan for either path: staying in-network, stepping out, or somewhere in between.
You don’t need to panic. You need a plan.
Want to Go Deeper?
The full framework from Steven J. Anderson goes beyond the questions into case studies and strategies showing what happens when dentists act on facts—not emotions. Whether you choose to stay in, go out, or become fully insurance-free, the right decision is an informed one.
Learn more about applying these principles and explore a “Maximum Reimbursement” analysis at Total Patient Service Institute.
