---
title: "Data Snapshot: Write-Off Percentage"
description: The amount you're writing off place a huge role in your profit margin, and that number keeps increasing. Learn how to take action today!
---

[Blog ](https://www.actdental.com/blog)

# [Data Snapshot: Write-Off Percentage](https://www.actdental.com/blog/data-snapshot-write-off-percentage)

 Written by [Dr. Barrett Straub](https://www.actdental.com/blog/author/dr-barrett-straub) | Jun 6, 2025 5:00:01 PM

We’ve recently dealt with both Gross and Net Production, but in between both of those KPIs lies another, incredibly important one: your Write-Off Percentage. Your Net Production is your collectable potential, but your write-offs are one of the factors that impact that potential. They help determine the size of your profit margin, and *the higher they are, the more pressure on your margin.  *

Though simple in concept—the percentage of total charges that are adjusted off due to PPO insurance adjustments, elective patient discounts, or membership discounts—it’s a KPI that many dentists get wrong. Write-offs are climbing, but most clients we’ve coached weren’t aware of their Write-Off percentage, and it’s due to one simple error: they weren’t billing their full fee. *If your ledger doesn’t have the full amount you charge for a procedure on the top line, your Write-Off percentage will be inaccurate*. Accuracy is critical, because the larger your Write-Off percentage, the more time you’re working for free. There are multiple factors that increase your write offs, and once you’re aware of them, you can start making changes:

- Reduced number of reimbursements from your PPO contracts
- Increased number of active patients who have PPO contracts
- Patients not paying your full fee

The great thing about understanding this KPI is that it’s something you can start working on today! With a simple four-step process, you can take control of your write-offs:

1. Calculate your write-offs
2. Make sure the number is accurate by verifying that you billed out your full fee
3. Calculate how many active patients you have, and how many are in-network vs out-of-network
4. Do some math—if you produce X and write off Y, reduce Y by 5% and see what happens to your profit margin

Write-offs are rapidly increasing, causing more and more dentists to work a considerable number of days for free. *It’s an anxiety-inducing thought, but you can reduce that anxiety by simply increasing your understanding of this KPI!*

[View full post](https://www.actdental.com/blog/data-snapshot-write-off-percentage)

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