Episode #332: Marketing Audit To Reduce Dependence on PPO Plans

  1. February 20, 2025

Are you tired of PPOs cutting into your hard-earned revenue? Many dentists feel stuck relying on insurance companies for patients—while sacrificing profits. But what if you could take control and bring in patients on your own?

In this episode, Gary Takacs and Naren Arulrajah discuss the 5 key areas of a marketing audit that can help determine whether your practice is ready to reduce PPO dependence.

You’ll learn how to check your Google rankings, online consistency (NAP score), website performance (Lighthouse score), credibility (E-E-A-T), and review growth (Google Review Velocity).

By understanding these essential marketing factors, you can replace insurance-driven patients with high-quality ones who value your care—all while lowering marketing costs.

If you’ve ever wondered, “Is my practice ready to go out of network?” this episode gives you the answers. Tune in now and take the first step toward insurance freedom!

Key Takeaways

  • Your insurance adjustments are a marketing expense – PPO write-offs are costing you thousands. Instead, invest in your own marketing to bring in high-quality patients.
  • Your website rankings matter – If your practice doesn’t rank for 100+ keywords on page one of Google, you’re missing potential patients.
  • Google trusts consistency – Your Name, Address, and Phone (NAP) must match across all online listings, or Google won’t trust your practice.
  • Reviews build trust and visibility – Aim for 10+ Google reviews per month to improve your ranking and attract new patients.

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Episode Timestamps

  • 00:01:30 – Thriving Dentist Live Summit | Successfully Building and Growing a Dental Practice in 2025. March 5th, 2025 at 7PM – 9:10 PM ET
    Register now – www.thrivingdentist.com/events/
  • 00:02:30 – How a marketing audit helps determine if you’re ready to go out of network.
  • 00:04:50 – Key #1: Website Rankings & SEO
    Your practice must rank for at least 100 keywords on page one of Google to attract the right patients.
  • 00:08:10 – Key #2: NAP Consistency (Name, Address, Phone Number)
  • How small listing mistakes can hurt your rankings and make your practice harder to find.
  • 00:12:30 – Key #3: Google Lighthouse Score & Website Health
    A low Lighthouse score can drop your rankings-learn how to fix it.
  • 00:16:40 – Key #4: Google’s E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authority, Trust)
    How video content, credentials, and online authority can help Google trust your site.
  • 00:21:15 – Key #5: Google Review Velocity

And remember, it’s not just keywords but key phrases as well because the public might use different terms to describe what they’re looking for rather than people in the profession.

Gary Takacs

Google SEO is by far the lowest-cost way to attract the highest-quality patients, and today, even those on PPO plans still use Google to find you.

Naren Arulrajah

5 Easy strategies for a better dental practice in 2024 beyond
Download the Free E-book Now!

Resources

Schedule a Free Marketing Strategy Meeting with Ekwa!

Schedule a Free Coaching Strategy Meeting with Gary Takacs!

Become a RIDA Member!

Thriving Dentist Live Summit | Successfully Building and Growing a Dental Practice in March 5th, 2025.

Gary Takacs

Gary Takacs One of Gary's most significant achievements as a dental practice management coach is transforming his own practice, LifeSmiles, from one that was infected with PPO plans, no effective marketing strategy, and an overhead of 80% to a very successful dental practice that is currently one of the top-performing practices in the US.

With over 2,200 coaching clients, Gary has first-hand experience transforming insurance-dependent practices into thriving and profitable practices.

Through his Personalized Coaching Program, Gary shares access to the systems, strategies, processes, and experience gained over 41 years of coaching dentists and transforming over 2200 practices worldwide.

Learn More: www.thrivingdentist.com/coaching/
Connect with Gary Takacs on Linkedin

Naren Arulrajah

Naren ArulrajahAs CEO of Ekwa Marketing, Naren has over a decade of experience working with dental practices and helping them attract the ideal type of patients to their practices. It is his goal to help dentists do more of the type of dentistry they love with the help and support of effective digital marketing.

Ekwa’s "Done-For-You" Digital Marketing model blends fundamental persuasion principles with an all-in-one Digital Marketing solution to help your ideal patients find you and choose you for reasons other than being on their insurance plan.

If you’re interested in finding out if Ekwa is the right fit for you and your practice, book a Free Marketing Strategy Meeting with Ekwa’s Marketing Director, Lila Stone.

Book Free Marketing Strategy Meeting: www.lessinsurancedependence.com/marketing-strategy-meeting/

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