Every day, you show up for your patients—restoring their smiles, eliminating pain, saving teeth. You’ve trained for years, invested in technology, hired and trained a team, and built a practice with integrity.

But there’s something quietly draining your success, and it’s happening in plain sight:

PPO write-offs.

If you’re an in-network dentist, you’re likely giving up 40–60% of your standard fees—every single day. That’s not a typo. It’s the industry norm. And over time, those discounts add up to a painful truth:

You’re working harder, doing more, and earning less—because of contracts you may have never negotiated.

Let’s talk about what this really means for your practice—and what you can do about it.

The Average PPO Write-Off: A Silent Revenue Killer

According to multiple industry sources, including data compiled by the Levin Group and Dental Intelligence, the average general dental practice participating with PPOs writes off $300,000 to $500,000 per year in adjustments. For a single-doctor practice, that’s staggering.

Here’s what that might look like annually:

Production BilledPPO Adjustments (Avg. 45%)Net Collection$1,200,000$540,000$660,000$1,000,000$450,000$550,000$800,000$360,000$440,000

Think about that: you’re doing $1 million in dentistry, but nearly half of it is written off—simply because you're "in-network."

And many dentists never negotiated those PPO fees. They signed contracts just to get patients in the door and never looked back.

Feeling the Frustration? You’re Not Alone

If you’re tired of the feeling that insurance companies are running your practice, not you—you're in good company.

• You’re watching overhead rise while reimbursements stay flat.

• You’re spending more time per patient, but getting paid less.

• You feel like you're working more hours than ever—but struggling to see the return.

This isn’t just about money. It’s about professional respect, clinical autonomy, and the ability to run a thriving, sustainable practice.

So What Can You Do? Start With PPO Fee Negotiation

The good news? You have options. And one of the most powerful is this:

Negotiate your PPO fees.

Yes, you can negotiate. And yes, you should.

Before you assume you’re stuck with low reimbursements, bring in experts like Veritas Dental Resources. They specialize in:

• PPO fee schedule analysis

• Negotiating higher reimbursements

• Credentialing support

• Evaluating PPO plan performance

• Advising on safe plan exits, when appropriate

Often, practices that work with Veritas see 10–30% increases in PPO reimbursements—just by renegotiating existing contracts. That translates to tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars in recovered revenue.

Re-Evaluate Your PPO Structure

Negotiation is the first step—but don’t stop there.

You should regularly analyze each PPO plan in your practice and ask:

• Are we profitable on this plan?

• How much are we writing off?

• How long is it taking to get paid?

• What is the administrative burden?

If a plan isn’t serving you—drop it. But do it with strategy. Give your team the tools to retain patients, communicate value, and prevent an exodus.

Remember: going out-of-network doesn’t mean losing patients. It means reclaiming control over how you practice and how you get paid.

Take Back Control of Your Career

You didn’t go to dental school to be micromanaged by insurance companies. You went to make a difference, to build something of your own, to serve your community with skill and compassion.

But no matter how passionate or talented you are, you can’t thrive if half your work is being written off.

So today, choose to do something about it:

• Negotiate your PPO contracts.

• Evaluate your current insurance participation.

• Drop what’s no longer working—for your practice, your patients, or your peace of mind.

The path forward isn’t easy. But it is possible. And it starts by deciding that you’re worth more than a write-off.

Need Help? Start Here.

Whether you’re looking to negotiate better fees, drop low-paying PPOs, or simply understand your options, visit
www.VeritasDentalResources.com to schedule a consultation.

You work too hard to be underpaid. Take the first step toward the practice you deserve.

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