Ep 11: New Doctor, Who Dis? Credentialing, Contracting, Confused - Let's Fix It
Episode notes
“Nah, it's cool. Just submit it under the owner’s name for now.”
Famous last words. 💀
If you’ve ever heard that advice—or worse, given it—this episode is for you.
In this episode, Sara Baker and LaRae McMullen break down a rampant—and risky—practice happening in dental offices across the country: submitting claims under the wrong provider to “keep things moving.”
Whether you’re onboarding a new associate, purchasing a practice, or navigating out-of-network transitions, this conversation is for you.
We cover:
- The difference between credentialing and contracting (and why both matter)
- Why billing under another provider's information is considered fraud, even when “everyone does it”
- Real-life situations where claims were delayed, payments misrouted, and provider trust destroyed
- What goes wrong when legal teams and brokers skip over billing strategy during a sale
- How submitting under the wrong name can trigger audits, refunds, or even in-network removal
You’ll also learn:
✔️ When and how to start the credentialing process
✔️ Why providers must be credentialed—even to be out-of-network
✔️ What to put on your provider onboarding checklist
✔️ How to protect cash flow during ownership transitions without compromising compliance
If you’re thinking:
- “But it’s just temporary…”
- “We didn’t know they needed to be credentialed yet…”
- “The broker said it was fine…”…this episode will change the way you approach provider setup forever.
🎧 Listen on all major platforms
📺 Watch full episodes on YouTube → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hEYxjX5ZVdo
📩 Contact us at hello@thetruthdecaypodcast.com
🌐 More resources at sddentalsolutions.com
📥 Download our Provider Onboarding + Credentialing Checklist at thetruthdecaypodcast.com