Are Your PPO Fees Costing You Thousands in 2026? How to Negotiate and Take Back Control

In this episode of the Insurance Untangled Podcast, host Ben Tuinei is joined by his co-host Tessina Bullock, President of Verus Dental, for a focused conversation on one of the most overlooked levers in practice profitability — PPO fee negotiations. After a brief hiatus to retool the show, Ben and Tessina kick off a new chapter of shorter, punchier episodes built around insurance topics that move the needle.

Tessina walks practice owners through why most offices leave significant money on the table every two years, what data and leverage actually look like in a real negotiation, and how even a modest 3% increase can translate into tens of thousands of dollars in additional annual revenue. Ben adds field-tested perspective on contract fine print, hidden no-negotiate clauses, and the takeaway-approach mindset that's driving more practices out of network.

If you're in network with even a handful of PPOs and haven't reviewed your fees in years, this episode is the wake-up call — and the roadmap — to start taking back control.

Key Takeaways

Most Practices Are Leaving Money on the Table:: Many offices haven't renegotiated in 10+ years, not because it's impossible, but because they're overwhelmed and don't know where to start.

"No, We Don't Negotiate" Isn't the Final Answer:: Insurance companies say no by default. The right knowledge, tactics, and leverage change that conversation.

Preparation Is Everything:: Know your full office fees, track write-offs per insurance company, evaluate profitability of each PPO, and be ready to walk away.

Small Increases Compound Into Big Wins:: Even a 3% bump means tens of thousands in extra annual revenue — and raises the bar across every plan you participate with.

Read the Fine Print:: Insurance companies are inserting language that locks practices into no-negotiation periods of three years while reserving the right to lower fees in twelve months.

Start with the Data:: Don't guess. Build your strategy on actual numbers, then reach out to provider relations or network recruitment to begin the process.