Less Insurance Dependence Podcast

In this episode, Gary and Naren share a simple but powerful 7-step new patient experience that turns first-time visits into lifelong patient relationships. This proven process helps practices break free from the insurance trap and build real connections that lead to better case acceptance, more referrals, and steady growth. You'll hear why patients with an "insurance-only" mindset often hold practices back — and how one office used this approach to grow from $2 million to $3 million in just one year. Whether you're just starting or want to make your first visit truly unforgettable, this episode is filled with practical tips and inspiring results. 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/ If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/

Nearly half of Americans skip dental visits due to fear or lack of a provider. The hosts explore effective marketing strategies to reach these hesitant patients, emphasizing the importance of addressing dental anxiety. They discuss how to create welcoming environments, optimize communication, and utilize digital tools like Google reviews. Transforming the dental experience and building long-term relationships are key to converting fearful patients into loyal advocates. Actionable tips for practices seeking to boost acceptance rates and enhance patient interactions are also provided.

Tired of getting the runaround from dental insurance companies?In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah dive into one of the most empowering (and often misunderstood) topics in dentistry: how to stand up to insurance companies using the power of your state's Insurance Commission. You'll learn how to respond when you're told "we never received your claim," what the 30-day "pay or respond" loophole really means, and why your patients, not you, hold the real power in filing complaints that insurance companies must answer to. 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/ If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/

Are PPOs quietly undermining your dental practice's long-term value? In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, host Michael Walker speaks with Brian Colao, Director of the Dykema DSO Industry Group and a leading expert in dental law and transition strategy. Brian explains how rising operational costs, combined with stagnant insurance reimbursements, can gradually erode your practice's profitability and ultimately impact its valuation. 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/ If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/

In this episode, Michelle Delling from Rectangle Health shares simple ways to help dental practices get paid faster and easier. She talks with host Michael Walker about how to fix payment problems, use automation, and stop wasting time on paperwork. If you're trying to get away from insurance and want better cash flow, this one's for you! 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/ If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, co-host Michael Walker welcomes Dr. Brad Hughes, a dentist and purpose-driven entrepreneur, for an insightful conversation on building practices that thrive without relying on PPOs. Dr. Hughes opens up about the mindset shifts that helped him move from burnout to fulfillment. He highlights the importance of building a brand rooted in authenticity, creating a team-driven patient experience, and gaining clarity around your business vision. Whether you're taking your first steps toward reducing insurance dependence or refining an established fee-for-service model, this episode offers practical strategies and powerful perspectives to help you lead your practice with clarity, confidence, and purpose. 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/ If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/

In this episode of the Less Insurance Dependence Podcast, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah unravel one of the most frustrating and often hidden realities of PPO resignation: umbrella plans. Many dentists think they've successfully resigned from a few insurance plans, only to find themselves unknowingly locked into a much larger web of networks. Gary and Naren explain what umbrella plans are, why they exist, how they're strategically designed to confuse and fatigue dental teams, and what you can do about it. Book your free marketing strategy meeting with Ekwa at your convenience. Additionally, 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/ If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/

Dr. Brett Kessler: From Recovery to a Thriving, Insurance-Free Practice American Dental Association (ADA) President Dr. Brett Kessler shares how personal transformation led him to build a fee-for-service practice grounded in purpose, vision, and patient trust. Discover how slowing down, building relationships, and leading with intention can bring more joy and greater success—to your dental career. A must-listen for any dentist ready to move beyond PPOs. 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/ If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/

Have you ever wondered how the insurance plans you accept today could make or break the sale of your dental practice someday? In this powerful episode, Michael Walker sits down with Kim McCleskey and Kyle Francis from Professional Transition Strategies to uncover how your current insurance participation, especially with PPO plans, can dramatically affect the value and marketability of your dental practice. Kim and Kyle share real-world stories, actionable advice, and clear steps for dentists who are planning a future transition or simply want to strengthen their financial foundation. They discuss common misconceptions about reimbursement rates, the role of insurance in buyer interest, and how to begin making smart, strategic changes. 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/ If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/

Thinking about going out of network? In this episode, Gary and Naren break down five real reasons why some dentists should wait. Learn how to tell if your practice is ready—or if you need more time, training, and trust-building first. A must-listen before you make the leap. 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/ If you're looking to boost your case acceptance rates and enhance patient communication, you can schedule a Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs. With his experience in helping practices thrive, Gary will work with you on personalized coaching, ensuring you and your team are prepared to present treatment plans confidently, offer financing options, and communicate the value of essential dental services. https://www.lessinsurancedependence.com/csm/