Ep 12: Pre-Determinations: Helpful Tool or Pretty Delay?

They look official. They feel reassuring. Sometimes they are even confused with “pre-authorizations" (they are not the same!)

But let’s be clear: predeterminations are just estimates.

And when your team—and your patients—don’t understand that, the result is confusion, complaints, and sooo many avoidable write-offs.

In this episode of The Truth Decay Podcast, Sara Baker and LaRae McMullen unpack the real purpose of pre-treatment estimates (aka predeterminations), and the process-wide impact they can have when misunderstood or misused.

You’ll learn:

• The difference between predetermination (PPO) and preauthorization (DHMO)
• The pros and cons of using pre-ds—and when they actually help
• Why predeterminations are not a replacement for real insurance verification
• The four things every team member must explain when presenting an estimate
• Why Targeted Appointment Verification often provides faster, better answers
• How overusing pre-ds delays treatment, damages trust, and bloats your AR

Whether you’re trying to reduce surprises for patients or streamline your financial conversations, this episode helps you separate helpful tools from harmful habits.

🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms

📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwh4bos-yJY

📥 Download your free guides:

• “Pros and Cons of Pre-Determinations”

• “Four-Part Potential Financial Obligation Conversation Script”

→ thetruthdecaypodcast.com

📩 Have a question? Email us at hello@thetruthdecaypodcast.com

🌐 Learn more at sddentalsolutions.com