CE COURSES

The IAG is pleased to partner with the Pacific Northwest Gnathologic Study Club to present the following CE course at a reduced rate for IAG members.

TAKE CONTROL OF INSURANCE REIMBURSEMENTS AND FOCUS ON PATIENT CARE

Combatting day to day insurance problems

Description: In a dental office, each day can come with new surprises. Since the majority of active dental patients have some type of dental benefits (insurance, Medicare, Medicaid...etc.),  it is quite common for administrative team members to spend the majority of their time preparing claims, filing claims, appealing denied claims, and many other insurance related functions that are required to keep insurance related accounts receivables up to date. This course will discuss solutions to the following daily issues that dental practices face:

Learning Objectives:

1. Consistent denial of clean claims
2. Preventing and managing refund requests by insurance
3. Being dropped (pushed out of network) by insurance and with no prior notice to you
4. Minimizing and eliminating statements to patients (for situations where out of pocket
   estimates to the patient were low)
5. Professionally handling frustration from patients that result from non-coverage or lack of
   coverage on the part of insurance
6. Understanding why you were audited and how to respond to insurance audits in general
7. Managing situations where insurance changes treatment definitions to downgrade
   payment, or deny payment altogether

How to Properly Implement Upgrades and Non-Covered Services with Implants

When doctors participate with insurance, it is not uncommon to lose money on certain cases due to low in network reimbursements. Fortunately, Utah has a non-covered service law that permits doctors to collect their full office fees for procedures and/or services that are not covered by dental insurance. With implant cases, there are often a number of non-covered service items that are never billed out to insurance or the patient. This course will provide proven solutions that cover some of the best practices as it pertains to non-covered service billing. We will also cover the upgrade concept for other items such as crown upgrades. Participants will leave with a full understanding on how they can implement a safe, legal, and audit proof upgrade and non- covered service policy.

SPEAKER

Ben Tuinei

Ben Tuinei is a leading expert in dental insurance strategy and PPO fee negotiation, with an industry-shaping career that began in 2007. While managing insurance operations for a 10-location dental group in Phoenix, Arizona, Ben restructured the billing department and implemented systems that improved collections from a struggling 65% to an impressive 98%. Simultaneously, his pioneering work in negotiating with third-party payors resulted in a remarkable $1 million annual increase in insurance revenue —benefiting just 10 general dentists.
This early success sparked widespread interest among solo practitioners and large group practices across the Western United States. Recognizing a critical gap in the market, Ben founded Optimum Dental Solutions in 2009, later rebranding to Veritas Dental Resources in 2014. Today, Veritas is the nation’s leading firm dedicated to PPO fee negotiation and dental insurance optimization. To date, Ben has worked with more than 9,500 dentists, helping practices generate over $6 billion in negotiated revenue. He currently serves as President of Veritas Dental Resources and is a trusted advisor to multiple state dental associations, professional societies, and continuing education groups. A dynamic and seasoned speaker, Ben is entering his 29th year as a professional public speaker. He serves on the Board of Directors for Utah Dental United, Dental Link Independent Practitioner Association, Verus Dental, and co-hosts the popular Navigating Dental Insurance and Insurance Untangled podcasts. His thought leadership is widely recognized in the industry—Ben has authored over 800 articles and is a frequent contributor to top-tier dental publications, including Dental Economics,
where he recently published an exposé on unethical and illegal insurance practices. Ben Tuinei is widely regarded as “The Authority” on PPO negotiations, and his strategies have empowered thousands of dentists to regain control over their reimbursement, revenue, and practice independence.

Date: September 12, 2025
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM (PT)
Location: Global Learning Center of the Washington AGD. 19415 International Blvd Ste 410, Seatac, WA 98188