Is Your Membership Plan Keeping Up With Rising Costs?
From higher wages and staffing shortages to the rising cost of dental supplies and lab work, operating a thriving practice is becoming increasingly expensive.
Many of these challenges stem from broad economic trends: inflation, global supply chain issues, and, yes, even tariff-related price hikes on imported dental materials and equipment. These aren’t just abstract economic headlines; you tell us you feel them daily as steeper invoices arrive for dental instruments, restorative, prosthetic, and orthodontic materials, imaging equipment, and furniture.
While these rising costs may be out of your control, how you adapt doesn’t have to be. One of the most strategic, patient-centered ways to stabilize your revenue and protect your margins in this environment is to leverage your in-house membership plan and ensure you optimize it for today’s economy.
Why membership plans matter more now
Today, dental membership plans are not just a convenience for patients without insurance, they’re a financial tool for the sustainability and growth of your practice. A well-crafted plan generates predictable, recurring revenue while keeping patients engaged in preventive care and case acceptance.
And unlike traditional insurance reimbursements, membership revenue goes directly to your practice and is free from third-party delays, restrictions, or administrative friction. This means that the revenue from membership plans goes directly to you, bypassing the delays and restrictions often associated with third-party payers.
In a landscape where costs are rising and patients are becoming more price-sensitive, offering transparent, value-packed membership options can:
- Offset the burden of reduced insurance participation or reimbursement rates
- Offer a competitive alternative for patients impacted by job or benefit loss
- Strengthen patient loyalty with year-round engagement and value
- Help smooth out cash flow through recurring monthly or annual payments
But not all membership plans are created equal—and if you haven’t evaluated yours in a while, now’s the time to make sure it’s working as hard as it should.
6 ways to strengthen your membership plan in today’s economy
1. Review and Adjust Pricing Strategically
If your costs have increased due to inflation or rising supplier fees, your membership pricing should evolve accordingly. Even a minor pricing adjustment can make a big difference over time. The key? Anchor price changes in value and communicate them clearly to members. For instance, explain that the price increase is due to the rising cost of dental supplies, but patients will continue to receive the same high-quality care and additional benefits.
If you're already working with Kleer and Membersy, contact your Customer Success Manager or support@kleer.com to schedule a time to review your plan fees.
2. Emphasize Predictability and Peace of Mind
Patients are looking for clarity and savings, especially in uncertain financial times. Clearly explain how your plan offers cost control, eliminates surprise bills, and covers essential care at a consistent rate. This helps patients see your plan as a financial safety net, not just a discount. Members also typically become your most loyal patients, creating more predictability of visits, case acceptance, and cash flow for the practice.
3. Bundle Smartly, Highlight Value
Your plan should include core preventive services like cleanings, exams, and X-rays, but don’t stop there. Consider thoughtful discounts on high-margin procedures like whitening, sealants, or periodontal care to increase perceived value and treatment acceptance.
4. Offer Tiered Options for Broader Appeal
Not every patient has the exact needs. Seniors may require more frequent maintenance, families may seek bundled plans, and perio patients may need additional support. By offering multiple tiers, you make membership accessible and appealing to a broader range of patients.
5. Train Your Team to Confidently Present the Plan
Your team is your first line of communication. Make sure every team member, from the front desk to the hygienist, knows how to explain the benefits, handle objections, and present the plan in routine care discussions. Confidence and consistency go a long way in driving enrollment.
6. Promote It Everywhere—Consistently
Don’t let your membership plan be a best-kept secret. Feature it prominently on your website, social media, email newsletters, new patient paperwork, and in-office signage. Make enrollment simple and visible, and patients are more likely to say “yes” when it’s easy to understand and join.
Membership plans as a resilient business strategy
In times of economic uncertainty, practices that proactively adapt tend to win. A flexible, well-maintained membership plan is more than a patient benefit; it’s a business asset. Your membership plan can help your practice survive and thrive in the face of rising costs by stabilizing revenue, improving patient retention, and reducing reliance on third-party payers.
As we look ahead, with the right strategies in place, your practice can stay strong, competitive, and deeply connected to the patients who rely on your care. Is your membership plan ready for what’s next? Talk to a Kleer and Membersy expert today!
Devin Joyce is Director, Customer Success - SMB & Emerging at Kleer and Membersy.
Related resources
Blog
Reclaiming Control: Insights from Dental Leaders on Profitable Growth and Well-being
We look at where AI actually changes how you practice, how it changes the structure of a practice, and how it affects strategies for driving growth.
16 May 2025
Read more
Get started, today.
Our experts will show you how our advanced, cloud-based membership plan platform—coupled with resources, tools and support from the experts at Kleer, can bring your practice phenomenal results.
+
more visits
+
more treatment accepted
+
more production
+
more collections