Dentists, let’s talk about something that keeps you up at night (besides remembering you forgot to floss): Case Acceptance in the Modern Dental Practice. It’s the holy grail of dentistry. You can have the fanciest equipment, the most Instagram-worthy waiting room, and a killer smile, but if your patients aren’t accepting treatment, your bottom line is crying in the corner.
And let’s face it, navigating the wild world of PPO patients, cash patients, and membership patients is like juggling flaming dental floss—it’s complicated, chaotic, and occasionally painful. But fear not! In this article, we’re breaking down how case acceptance works for these three patient types and why shifting to a membership model is the best way to grow your practice in 2024 and beyond.
PPO Patients: The Roller Coaster You Never Asked to Ride
Let’s start with PPO patients. They’re like that flaky friend who promises to pay for dinner but always forgets their wallet. They show up because insurance brought them to your door, but the ride is bumpy, and you’re footing the administrative bill.
The Numbers Don’t Lie
- Average Spend: $500 per year
- Case Acceptance Rate: 25% – 35%
- Admin Costs: Higher than your hygienist’s caffeine bill
- Red Tape: Enough to mummify an entire office
With PPO patients, you’re trapped in a world of low reimbursements, endless insurance negotiations, and confused patients who think “out-of-pocket” means their insurance covers it all. The case acceptance rate is meh at best, and the revenue is laughably low. Oh, and let’s not forget the headache of chasing down payments.
The Verdict
PPO patients may fill your chairs, but they’re not filling your wallet. It’s time to ask yourself: Are PPOs really worth the hassle?
Cash Patients: Good Intentions, Poor Follow-Through
Ah, cash patients. These are the folks who mean well but often balk at the price tag. They’re like the person who builds a cart full of Amazon goodies, only to abandon it at checkout.
Here’s the Breakdown
- Average Spend: $800 per year
- Case Acceptance Rate: 18% – 24% (yikes!)
- Administrative Burden: Low, but so is the revenue
While cash patients save you from the red tape of insurance, they also tend to choose bare-minimum care. They’ll come in for cleanings, maybe a filling, but big-ticket treatments like crowns and implants? Forget it. The low case acceptance rate means missed opportunities for growing your revenue and giving patients the care they need.
Membership Patients: The Unicorns of Dentistry
And now, the star of the show: membership patients. These are the folks who pay a flat monthly or annual fee for access to your services. They’re loyal, they trust you, and they actually invest in their oral health. Shocking, right?
The Game-Changing Stats
- Average Spend: $2,150 per year
- Subscription Revenue: $450 per year (cha-ching!)
- Case Acceptance Rate: 40%+
Membership patients don’t just walk the walk—they floss the floss. They’re more likely to accept treatment because they’ve already bought into your practice. No insurance hoops to jump through, no confusing EOBs, and no stingy reimbursements. It’s just you, your patient, and that sweet, sweet subscription revenue.
Why Membership Patients Rock
- Predictable Income: That $450/year subscription revenue is a steady stream you can count on.
- Higher Engagement: Membership patients feel like VIPs and are more likely to prioritize their dental health.
- Lower Admin Costs: No insurance = no headaches.
The Modern Way to Grow Your Practice
Dentists, it’s time to ditch the PPO hamster wheel and embrace a new way of running your practice. The secret sauce? Maximizing revenue per patient while minimizing the headache factor.
Step 1: Reduce PPO Contracts
Let’s be honest: PPOs are not your friends. They cap your earnings, control your pricing, and make you jump through hoops for pennies. Gradually phase out PPO contracts and replace those patients with membership or cash patients.
Step 2: Double Down on Membership Plans
Create an irresistible membership plan that covers routine care and offers discounts on additional treatments. Market it as a win-win for patients—affordable care without insurance red tape. Your revenue will thank you.
Step 3: Reinvest in Digital Marketing
Now that you’ve kicked PPOs to the curb, take that extra cash and put it into digital marketing strategies that actually work. Here’s where to focus:
- Local SEO: Make sure your practice shows up when patients search for “dentist near me.”
- Social Media Ads: Highlight your membership plan and show off your happy patients.
- Online Reviews: Encourage members to leave glowing reviews—they’re your best salespeople.
Why Membership Models Are the Future
The modern dental practice isn’t about squeezing patients into a one-size-fits-all insurance mold. It’s about creating a personalized experience that drives loyalty, boosts revenue, and simplifies your life.
Here’s why membership plans are the MVPs of modern dentistry:
- They Build Loyalty: Patients who subscribe to a membership plan see you as their trusted partner in oral health.
- They Boost Revenue: Between subscription fees and higher case acceptance rates, membership patients bring in more money—period.
- They Simplify Operations: Say goodbye to chasing insurance reimbursements and hello to streamlined billing.
Dental Case Acceptance
What BoomCloud™ Does for You
Now that we’ve hyped up the power of membership patients, let’s talk about how BoomCloud™ takes your membership plan from “meh” to magnificent. This isn’t just another software tool—it’s your secret weapon for transforming your practice into a thriving, patient-first powerhouse.
Automates Billing
Imagine never having to chase down payments again. BoomCloud™ automates all the billing and renewals for your membership plan, letting you focus on what you do best—being an awesome dentist.
Tracks Membership Data
BoomCloud™ gives you a bird’s-eye view of your membership program. Want to know how many members you have, how much revenue they’re bringing in, or who’s up for renewal? It’s all there at your fingertips.
Simplifies Reporting
Need to make a big decision for your practice? BoomCloud™ offers real-time insights into your Monthly Recurring Revenue (MRR) and Annual Recurring Revenue (ARR) so you can make smarter, data-driven moves.
Online Patient Enrollment
Patients can sign up for your membership plan directly through your website. BoomCloud™ integrates seamlessly, making enrollment easy and accessible for your tech-savvy patients.
Patient Portal
Membership patients love transparency, and BoomCloud™ delivers. With a dedicated patient portal, your members can log in to check their benefits, view payment history, and even add more family members to their plan.
Finds Uninsured & Active Patient Opportunities
BoomCloud™ doesn’t just manage your membership plan—it grows it. By integrating with your Practice Management Software (PMS), BoomCloud™ identifies uninsured patients and sends them personalized SMS messages to get them signed up.
Patient Education Center
Struggling to explain the value of your membership plan? BoomCloud™ has you covered with educational content designed to attract patients and drive sign-ups. From videos to blogs, they’ve created the resources to help patients understand why your plan rocks.
Marketing Support
Growing your membership plan doesn’t have to be a solo mission. BoomCloud™ equips you with templates, verbiage scripts, videos, and flyers to make marketing a breeze. Whether you’re promoting your plan online, in-office, or via email, their team has your back.
Why BoomCloud™ Is the Perfect Partner for Modern Practices
In a world where PPOs dominate and cash patients hesitate, BoomCloud™ empowers you to build a membership modelthat transforms your practice. With streamlined billing, data insights, and marketing support, you can focus on delivering exceptional care while BoomCloud™ handles the nitty-gritty.
If you’re serious about growing your revenue, boosting case acceptance, and saying goodbye to PPO headaches, BoomCloud™ is the way forward. It’s not just software—it’s your practice’s new best friend.
FAQs About Case Acceptance and Membership Models
Why is case acceptance so low for PPO and cash patients?
PPO patients are constrained by insurance limits, while cash patients often hesitate due to cost. Membership patients, on the other hand, feel invested and trust their dentist’s recommendations.
How can I transition from PPO to a membership model?
Start by gradually reducing PPO contracts while building and marketing your membership plan. Educate patients on the benefits of going insurance-free.
Do membership plans work for all types of dental practices?
Absolutely! Whether you’re a solo practitioner or a multi-location practice, membership plans can be tailored to fit your business model.
How do I price my membership plan?
Base your pricing on your target market and the services you want to include. Aim for a balance between affordability for patients and profitability for your practice. Review the income demographics of your area & create your pricing. Here are some example dental membership plans.
Can I still attract new patients without PPOs?
Yes! Invest in digital marketing, focus on word-of-mouth referrals, and highlight the value of your membership plan to bring in new patients.
What’s the best way to increase case acceptance?
Build trust with your patients, offer flexible payment options, and focus on clear communication about the benefits of treatment. Membership plans naturally encourage higher case acceptance rates.
Conclusion: Stop Letting PPOs Hold You Back
If you’re still relying on PPOs to fill your chairs, it’s time for a serious wake-up call. Case acceptance in the modern dental practice is all about making smarter choices: reducing PPO contracts, building a rock-solid membership plan, and reinvesting in strategies that actually grow your practice.
So, ditch the red tape, embrace membership patients, and watch your revenue—and your sanity—skyrocket. After all, the modern dentist deserves a modern approach to success.
