Economic slowdowns can spark a lot of tough questions for dental practice owners:
Should I lower my fees? Should I ramp up marketing? Should I join more PPO plans just to stay busy?

When cash flow tightens and new patient numbers dip, joining additional insurance networks can seem like a tempting solution. After all, more plans = more patients, right?

But before you sign those contracts, it’s important to take a step back and ask:
Is it actually wise—or just a short-term fix with long-term consequences?

Here’s how to think strategically when evaluating whether to become in-network with new dental plans in a down economy.

The Upside: What Joining More Plans Can Offer

Let’s start with the appeal, because there are some potential benefits—especially in the short term.

Increased Patient Flow

In-network providers are more visible to insured patients, especially those who use their plan's provider directory to choose a dentist. Joining a new plan can boost your new patient numbers quickly.

Potential to Fill Empty Chair Time

If your schedule has more holes than usual, adding a plan may feel like a way to keep your team productive and generate some baseline revenue—even if the fees are lean.

Employer Plan Shifts

During economic downturns, patients may switch jobs or lose employer-based coverage. Being in-network with a broader range of plans can help you stay relevant as your local patient base shifts coverage.

The Downside: The Hidden Costs of Being In-Network

While increased patient volume sounds great, there’s a real danger of trading profitability for busyness. Here’s what to watch out for:

Deep PPO Write-Offs

Most new PPO contracts come with deeply discounted fees—and they’re non-negotiable (at least upfront). A 40–50% write-off on restorative procedures may mean you're working harder for less.

Devaluation of Your Services

The more plans you accept, the more patients see your practice as "insurance-driven" rather than value-driven. It can erode your brand, reduce case acceptance for higher-end care, and limit your freedom to recommend ideal treatment.

Locked-In Contracts

Joining a plan is easy. Getting out? Not so much. Many plans auto-renew, limit your ability to opt out without long notice periods, and may tie you into leased networks without your knowledge.

Increased Admin Overhead

More plans = more billing headaches, more eligibility verifications, more claim appeals, and more time wasted fighting for pennies. That burden falls on your front office—and ultimately eats into your profitability.

So… Should You Join New Plans During a Slow Economy?

Here’s a balanced way to look at it:

Yes, consider joining—but only if:

• You’ve analyzed the fee schedule and it still allows for profit.

• You have open capacity and need short-term volume to cover overhead.

• You view the move as temporary, with a clear plan to reassess and possibly exit later.

• You’ve calculated how many additional patients you’d need to see to break even or profit under the lower fee structure.

• The plan gives you access to employer groups or demographics you’re targeting.

No, don’t join if:

• You’re already heavily PPO-dependent and struggling with write-offs.

• You’re working at or near capacity—adding low-paying patients crowds out higher-value care.

• You’re actively building a fee-for-service model or in-house membership plan.

• The plan bundles codes or restricts coverage in ways that reduce your clinical freedom.

What to Do Instead (If You Decide Not to Join)

If the numbers don’t make sense, here are smarter ways to grow during slow times without compromising your value:

• Strengthen your marketing to attract high-quality, fee-for-service patients

• Promote in-house membership plans as an affordable alternative to insurance

• Boost case acceptance with better financing options and team training

• Optimize your existing patient base through reactivation campaigns

• Renegotiate current PPO fees to improve profitability where you’re already in-network

The Bottom Line

Joining new PPO plans can feel like a lifeline when the economy slows—but it can quickly become an anchor if you’re not careful.

Every plan you sign should be evaluated like a business partnership:

• Does it pay fairly?

• Does it align with your clinical philosophy?

• Will it help or hurt your long-term goals?

In a slow economy, don’t just chase patients. Chase profitability, sustainability, and freedom. That’s the kind of growth that lasts—no matter what the market’s doing.

Benjamin Tuinei

Founder - Veritas Dental Resources, LLC
Phone: 888-808-4513

Services:
PPO Fee Negotiators | PPO Fee Negotiating | Insurance Fee Negotiating
Insurance Credentialing | Insurance Verifications

Websites:
www.VeritasDentalResources.com | www.VerusDental.com