"How to Speak to Patients about the value of being Out of Network "

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, hosts Naren Arulrajah and Gary Takacs discuss effective strategies for communicating with patients about the value of being out of network. The primary focus is on framing the conversation to highlight the benefits for the patients, encapsulated by the principle of WII-FM (What's In It For Me?).

Gary emphasizes the importance of maintaining high-quality care and a positive patient experience, explaining that staying out of network ensures the practice's ability to provide these consistently. By not being constrained by insurance companies, the practice can invest in the latest technologies, such as single-visit restorations, lasers, and three-dimensional cone beams, which significantly enhance patient care. Additionally, being out of network allows the practice to hire and retain quality team members, further ensuring excellent patient service.

The hosts discuss tailoring the communication to the patient's perspective. For instance, when talking to a business owner, mentioning how some insurance companies haven't raised fees since 2009 can resonate well, as business owners understand the need to keep up with operational costs to maintain quality. For the general patient population, it's important to reassure them that they can still use their benefits and that the practice will help them maximize those benefits.