Sandi Hudson, co-owner of Unlock The PPO and expert on navigating the complex world of PPO insurance, returns to The Best Practices Show to discuss shared network agreements—one of the most critical topics facing dental practices in 2026. Sandi explains what these agreements mean, how they're impacting practices nationwide, and provides actionable strategies for dentists to regain control of their insurance participation.

On the podcast we discussed:

• What shared network agreements are and how they automatically pull your practice into networks you may not have directly contracted with

• Recent shared network agreement changes since September 2025, including new agreements between Aetna and MetLife, Humana and Sun Life, Ameritas and Cigna, Humana and Cigna, MetLife and Sun Life, and Principal and Guardian

• The critical importance of regularly auditing EOBs to identify when you're being paid through a shared network agreement rather than a direct contract

• How to regroup for 2026 by reviewing production by insurance company, analyzing write-offs company by company, evaluating cash fees, and focusing on your top 30 procedure codes

• The changing landscape of insurance negotiations, where direct contract increases of 2-5% are realistic, and the importance of strategic evaluation before terminating contracts

• Why you must proactively opt out of unwanted shared network agreements before terminating direct contracts, as these agreements can automatically pick you back up

• How retention analysis can help you make informed decisions when considering dropping an insurance plan

• The profit challenge facing dental practices as expenses rise faster than revenues, and how focusing on collecting more from existing work can help

• Why Delta Dental is being evaluated differently by many practices, especially in states where fee schedules have dropped significantly

• The importance of billing out your full cash fees to accurately monitor write-offs and improve your negotiation position

• How to evaluate insurance companies based on your top procedure codes and actual practice volume rather than simple averages