Cracking the Code: Demystifying Orthodontic Insurance with Tina Byrne

Let’s Be Honest...

Insurance can feel like a four-letter word in orthodontics. It's confusing. It's time-consuming. And if you’re not careful, it can quietly drain your practice’s profitability. That’s why on a recent episode of the Hey Docs! Podcast, Jill Allen sat down with Tina Byrne—insurance expert, consultant, and creator of the iMaxX System (now part of the OrthoFi platform)—to talk strategy, solutions, and how to take back control.

Meet Tina: From Front Desk to Forward Thinker

Tina Byrne didn’t set out to create a revolutionary insurance system—but she did spend more than 20 years seeing firsthand what slows practices down. From managing front office operations to training teams, she noticed one recurring pain point: insurance.

Instead of just dealing with it, she built a better way.

The iMaxX System was born from Tina’s drive to simplify and streamline the most chaotic parts of insurance—think billing errors, verification issues, missed revenue. It’s now integrated into OrthoFi’s software, giving practices a smarter, cleaner way to navigate the mess.

What iMaxX Does (That Your Team Will Love)

Let’s face it—insurance gets complicated fast. Multiple carriers, inconsistent codes, plan details that change every five minutes... the list goes on.

Tina explained how the iMaxX System takes all those variables and translates them into a simplified, automated workflow. It’s not just about getting claims out the door—it’s about getting them right the first time, increasing collections, and reducing write-offs that come with in-network frustrations.

And Jill adds: when you can confidently hand off insurance to a system that actually works, your team gets back something even more valuable—time with patients.

It’s Not Just a Benefit—It’s a Business

Tina was clear: if you’re not treating insurance as a business strategy, you’re missing a huge opportunity. Verifications, billing workflows, and how your team communicates about benefits all play into the financial health of your practice.

She recommends every practice (especially those just getting started) double down on training. From understanding employer-sponsored plans to navigating local competition, the more your team knows, the better positioned you’ll be to make smart, profitable decisions.

How Insurance Fits Into the Bigger Picture

The conversation also zoomed out. As orthodontic practices evolve—adding more digital tools, adapting to changing patient expectations, and scaling their operations—insurance doesn’t go away. It just becomes more important to manage well.

Tina and Jill both emphasized this: credentialing decisions, in-network vs. out-of-network strategies, and using data to support your fee structure all matter. The iMaxX System is more than a software—it’s a framework for approaching insurance with intention instead of reaction.

Closing Thoughts: The New Insurance Mindset

Insurance doesn’t have to be a headache. With the right systems, team training, and tech in place, it can actually support your growth rather than slow it down.

Tina’s work with the iMaxX System and her collaboration with OrthoFi are reshaping what’s possible for orthodontic practices. And as Jill puts it, when you stop fighting insurance and start working with it, you open the door to better margins, happier teams, and smoother systems all around.