As a dentist and business owner, you're constantly balancing two priorities: delivering exceptional patient care and maintaining a healthy bottom line. So when a service offers to handle insurance verifications for just $15/hour, it’s natural to ask:

“Should I outsource this and save money?”

Especially when your in-house team member is earning $20/hour for the same task.

The short answer? It depends. Cost is just one piece of the puzzle. Let’s break down the key factors you should consider before making the switch — and whether outsourcing is truly the right move for your practice.

1. Cost Savings: It’s Tempting — But Are You Comparing Apples to Apples?

On the surface, $15/hour sounds like a smart financial move compared to $20/hour. But before you jump, ask:

• How many patients per hour can the outsourced service verify?

• What is the quality and completeness of their verification process?

• Are they providing general eligibility or full benefit breakdowns (e.g., frequencies, waiting periods, missing tooth clause)?

• Is the $15/hour rate all-inclusive (no hidden fees for training, support, etc.)?

A slightly higher wage for a faster, more accurate employee may still deliver better ROI.

Tip: Measure performance in verifications per dollar, not just hourly rate.

2. Accuracy and Accountability

Insurance verifications aren't just data collection — they directly impact:

• Treatment acceptance

• Claim approvals

• Patient trust

If verifications are missing key details — like age limits, downgrades, or coordination of benefits — it can lead to:

• Denied claims

• Billing errors

• Upset patients

Ask yourself:

• Can the outsourced team be held accountable if claims are denied due to bad info?

• Who fixes their mistakes?

• How much rework will your in-house team still have to do?

3. Patient Experience and Privacy Concerns

Your patients often assume that your front office knows everything about their insurance. If your outsourced team can’t:

• Answer patient questions in real time

• Clarify confusing benefit info

• Maintain HIPAA compliance

…you may be sacrificing the human touch your practice is known for.

Plus, outsourcing means sharing patient data with a third party. You’ll want to:

• Ensure HIPAA compliance

• Sign a Business Associate Agreement (BAA)

• Vet the security of their systems

4. Workflow Integration

Does the service:

• Integrate with your practice management software?

• Document notes directly into patient accounts?

• Communicate efficiently with your in-house team?

If not, your staff may spend more time transferring, reviewing, or cleaning up data — eating into any savings.

5. Scalability and Support

Outsourcing can make sense if:

• You have multiple providers and high patient volume

• You need evening/weekend coverage

• You want to free up your in-house team for patient-facing roles

It also helps when you’re:

• Short-staffed

• Facing high turnover

• Looking to reduce training time for new hires

6. You’re Not Just Paying for Tasks — You’re Paying for Thinking

A great in-house insurance coordinator does more than verify benefits. They:

• Spot red flags

• Catch billing issues before they happen

• Educate patients in real-time

• Coordinate benefits and resolve denials

• Serve as your insurance advocate

That kind of insight and judgment can be hard to replicate with a lower-cost outsourced team — especially if they’re working remotely and don’t understand the nuances of your practice.

Final Verdict: Should You Outsource?

Outsourcing may be a good fit if:

• You’ve vetted the service thoroughly

• Your patient volume is high enough to benefit from added efficiency

• Your in-house team is stretched thin or turnover is high

• You view the service as supplemental support, not a full replacement

Stick with your in-house team (or invest more in them) if:

• Accuracy, accountability, and patient communication are top priorities

• Your team handles complex cases (dual coverage, medical billing, ortho)

• You value direct control and real-time problem solving

Final Thoughts

Insurance verification isn’t just a box to check — it’s a foundational step in revenue cycle management, patient trust, and treatment acceptance. Whether you outsource or keep it in-house, the key is choosing the model that best supports your workflow, your team, and your patient experience. The only firm we trust who can deliver on insurance verifications at "better than industry standards" is www.VerusDental.com. Give them a shout!

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