Insurance Untangled

In this episode of the Insurance Untangled Podcast, host Don Adeesha sits down with Devon Banks, CEO of DTECH Billing and Claims, to discuss the hidden revenue risks that many dental practices overlook — from aging accounts receivable and unresolved credit balances to Medicaid CRUSH compliance concerns. Devon shares why AR assessments are more than just a billing cleanup task. They are a powerful...

Why do some dental practices grow into successful multi-location groups while others struggle to scale beyond a second office? In this episode of the Insurance Untangled Podcast, host Don Adeesha sits down with Courtney Staiger, CFE, to explore one of the most overlooked threats facing dental practices today: fraud, embezzlement, and financial vulnerabilities hiding in plain sight. Drawing from he...

When a dental practice grows beyond one location, the things that used to live in your head suddenly need systems, dashboards, and clean data behind them. Without that foundation, growth slows, problems hide longer, and decisions get made on instinct instead of insight. In this episode of the Insurance Untangled Podcast, host Don Adeesha sits down with Vincent Cardillo, founder of Mava Dental Advi...

In this episode of Insurance Untangled , hosts Ben Tuinei and Tessina Bullock dive into one of the most overlooked revenue opportunities for dental practices: PPO fee negotiations. Many practices assume insurance reimbursements are fixed, but Ben and Tessina explain why that is not always the case. They discuss why practices often avoid negotiations, how to prepare before approaching insurance com...

In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah uncover why doing more—more ads, more PPOs, more hustle—often leads to burnout and lower profitability. Learn how to identify what's actually holding your practice back, and how to solve the right problems using data, call tracking, and smarter marketing and insurance participation. Real stories, practical tips, and a powerful reminder: less is more...

In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah talk about why so many dentists feel stuck with busy but unproductive schedules. They explain how the real problem often starts with ignoring marketing until it's too late—and how depending on insurance just makes things worse. You'll learn how to take control by attracting the right patients, building long-term marketing habits, and setting smart go...

In this episode, Ben Tunei and Naren Arulrajah break down what Google truly wants from your dental website in 2026. They explore how Google's AI-first approach is reshaping search, why beautiful websites alone won't cut it, and how E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trust), mobile performance, and helpful, trustworthy content are now essential for ranking. Learn what it takes to st...

In this episode, Ben Tuinei and Naren Arulrajah dive into one of the most overlooked threats facing dental practices today: the long-term damage caused by the wrong kind of marketing. Through relatable stories, including a surprising tale about a broken hard drive, Ben and Naren reveal how DIY marketing, copied tactics, and "doing something just to be busy" can quietly sabotage a practice's growth...

What's the secret to keeping patients for life? In this episode, Naren Arulrajah and Ben Tuinei unpack how trust, empathy, and consistency, not gimmicks or discounts, are the real keys to patient loyalty. They dive into how emotional connections, marketing beyond the chair, and strong internal team culture drive long-term retention. Whether you're overwhelmed by insurance or struggling with patien...

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...

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...

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...

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 h...

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...

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. Featurin...

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' polici...

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 depend...

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...

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, in...

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...

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...

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...

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, bu...

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. Y...

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 personal...