🎙 Episode 47 – Why Insurance-Only Chiropractic Practices Are Dying

In this episode of The Practice Builders Podcast, Dr. Vince Leone and Dr. Kyle Pankonin tackled one of the most urgent threats facing chiropractors today: the slow death of the insurance-only practice model.

Drawing from over 26 years of clinical experience and real coaching results, they break down why flat reimbursements, rising overhead, insurance red tape, and volume burnout are quietly crushing practices — and what doctors can do right now to protect their income, their health, and their future.

You'll learn:

Why insurance reimbursements have barely moved in over two decades while overhead keeps rising
How chasing volume creates a negative flywheel that burns out doctors and delivers worse patient experiences
Why relying solely on insurance gives you almost no control over your own revenue
The power of adding cash-based services — specifically spinal decompression — as your first niche
How a hybrid model (not going all-cash overnight) is the smartest and safest transition strategy
Real results: how Dr. Kyle went from $48–50K/month heavily insurance-dependent to pushing $120K/month, mostly cash-based
Why patients absolutely will pay out of pocket — when you're selling an outcome, not just a service
Step-by-step action items for doctors who are heavy insurance and want a way out

Dr. Leone and Dr. Pankonin also share honest advice on how to audit your insurance plans, drop the worst offenders, and gradually build a cash-based niche without losing your patient base overnight.

If you're feeling stuck, burnt out, or like you're working harder every year for the same paycheck, this episode will show you there is a better model — and exactly how to start moving toward it.

47. Why Insurance-Only Practices are Dying (and what to do about it)