You’re not alone if you’ve thought about walking away from PPOs. Dentists across the country are frustrated by shrinking reimbursements, excessive write-offs, and the increasing administrative burden that comes with participation. But many hesitate to take the leap because they fear losing patients. The good news? You can reduce PPO dependence without sacrificing your patient base, if you take the right steps.
Below are 3 brilliant strategies to help you move toward a healthier, more profitable practice in 2025, while keeping the trust of the patients you’ve worked so hard to earn.
1. Launch a Patient-Centered Membership Plan
One of the biggest fears dentists have when considering leaving PPOs is that patients will walk away. That’s why offering an in-house membership plan is a game-changer.
This can give patients access to preventive care and discounts on treatment without the red tape, waiting periods, or denials typical of traditional insurance. Offering a membership plan that is popular with employers, such as DntlDirect, can also help attract new patients.
Why it works:
- Simple, affordable monthly pricing patients can understand
- No claims to file or approvals to chase
- Encourages loyalty and return visits, especially from uninsured patients
Pro Tip: Frame your membership plan as a “better-than-insurance” alternative, not a backup. Make sure your front desk team can confidently explain the value.
2. Reframe Your Value Proposition and Communicate It
Patients don’t stay with you because you’re the cheapest. They stay because they trust you, feel heard, and believe in the quality of your care. So, if you’ve built your practice around being “in-network,” you may need to reconsider what matters to your patients.
What to do:
- Educate patients about what PPOs don’t cover and how much they’re paying out-of-pocket anyway
- Use your website, email, and in-office materials to highlight the benefits of staying with you, even out-of-network
- Focus on personalized care, advanced technology, and your clinical expertise. Patients are willing to pay more when they understand what they’re getting and why it matters.
3. Start with a Selective Exit, Not a Full Drop
You don’t need to cut ties with every PPO overnight. One of the smartest ways to reduce risk is to phase out participation strategically, starting with the plans that hurt your practice the most.
How to approach it:
- Review production reports and analyze which plans generate the lowest ROI
- Identify insurance plans with the most denials, lowest reimbursements, and longest turnaround times
- Notify patients in advance and offer them your in-house membership as an alternative
Many dentists who start this process report their bottom line (and quality of life) improves even if a few patients leave.
Final Thoughts
Breaking free from PPOs doesn’t have to be risky. By offering a compelling alternative, communicating your value clearly, and taking a phased approach, you can regain control of your fees, time, and quality of care without losing the loyal patient base you’ve built. At DenScore, we help dentists grow smarter. If you’re ready to attract more high-value patients while reducing PPO dependence, contact our Head of Partnerships at kyle@denscore.com to learn how our “Best Dentist” listings and other tools can help you grow your practice.
