992: What You Don't Know About Shared Network Agreements in Dentistry in 2026 – Sandi Hudson

Are you struggling to figure out shared network agreements? In this episode, Kirk Behrendt brings back Sandi Hudson, founder of Unlock the PPO, to help you navigate the complex world of PPOs with her expert advice. To learn everything you need to know about shared network agreements for the new year, listen to Episode 992 of The Best Practices Show!

Learn More About Sandi:

• Join Sandi on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/UnlockThePPO
• Follow Sandi on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unlocktheppo
• Learn more about Unlock the PPO: https://unlocktheppo.com

More Helpful Links for a Better Practice & a Better Life:

• Subscribe to The Best Practices Show: https://the-best-practices-show.captivate.fm/listen
• Join The Best Practices Association: https://www.actdental.com/bpa
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Apple App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/best-practices-association/id6738960360
• Download ACT’s BPA app on the Google Play Store: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.actdental.join&hl=en_US
• Join ACT’s To The Top Study Club: https://www.actdental.com/ttt
• Get The Best Practices Magazine for free: https://www.actdental.com/magazine
• Please leave us a review on the podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-best-practices-show-with-kirk-behrendt/id1223838218

Episode Resources:

• Watch the video version of Episode 992: https://www.youtube.com/@actdental/videos

Main Takeaways:

• Understand how shared network agreements work to avoid misunderstandings.
• One contract does not equal being in-network with one insurance company.
• Opt out of agreements proactively. Don't leave things to chance.
• Regularly audit your EOBs to stay on top of any changes.
• Review your contracts. Don't keep this on autopilot.

Snippets:

0:00 Introduction.

1:19 Sandi’s background.

2:38 Shared network agreements, explained.

3:54 Common misunderstandings to be aware of.

5:22 Pay attention, do what you're supposed to, and follow up.

7:55 Regularly audit EOBs.

9:22 What to look for on an EOB.

10:32 Regrouping, explained.

13:21 The state of negotiating power in shared network agreements.

16:14 Narrow down your procedure codes.

17:45 Trends in revenue and expenses.

19:46 The value of doing a retention analysis.

23:40 The trend of corporations purchasing dental practices.

25:54 Final thoughts.

27:22 More about Unlock the PPO.

Sandi Hudson Bio:

Sandi Hudson, founder of Unlock the PPO, has a degree in Business Administration from the University of Iowa. After several years in healthcare and fundraising management, she transitioned into dental office management and spent a decade overseeing dental insurance participation and negotiations. Her experience comes from hands-on experience rather than concepts that just sound good on paper. She has worked with offices across the country and has a broad perspective on how to tailor insurance decisions to various regions and demographics. Her goal is to help dentists take a common-sense approach to managing insurance participation in a way that best fits their goals. By keeping abreast of industry trends, she is well-positioned to help dentists prepare for how insurance will best fit into their practices, both now and in the future. Sandi focuses on the analysis side of the business by crunching numbers and making recommendations about participation levels.

Sandi is married to a dentist and has a unique perspective of both consultant and dental practice owner, uncommon to the industry.