What to look for in cosmetic financing plans offered by dentists
by Lonnie Bryant
Many insurance policies don't cover treatment that's determined to be "medically unnecessary". Therefore, if you're looking to obtain veneers, whitening or crowns, you may find yourself facing hefty dental bills for these procedures.
The good news is that you have multiple financing options available if your insurance policy doesn't cover cosmetic treatment. Rather than being stuck with stained, broken or misaligned teeth, some dentists offer financing plans that allow you to pay for various cosmetic procedures. These plans work in different ways- with some spreading the cost of treatment across several months, while others offer special discounts to make treatment more affordable.
When shopping around for a financing plan for cosmetic dental treatment, look for the following key features.
1. Ability to easily add beneficiaries
If you're married with a family, you're likely to need cosmetic dentistry for more than one person. Your spouse or kids may eventually desire to have their teeth whitened, to get aligners (such as Invisalign) or to cover a chipped tooth with a crown/veneer. Therefore, look for plans that cover the entire family. You should be able to easily add beneficiaries as time goes by without encountering complications.
2. Security of your medical records
Private financing plans offered by dentists are different from regular insurance policies. You'll find that most insurers take thorough steps to secure data they collect from policyholders. This data includes medical history, payment information, addresses and much more. Make sure that any financing plan you sign up for also takes data security very seriously. If personal data is requested as part of the application process, don't hesitate to inquire about how your data will be handled.
3. A convenient application process
Finally, applying for financing through your cosmetic dentist should be a convenient process. Because the dentist is already familiar with your treatment plan, you shouldn't need to provide loads of personal information to get financing. Also, make sure your dentist will be available to help with any complications moving forward.
4. Low-interest rates with no annual fees
While financing gives you more time to pay, it shouldn't cost much more than paying for the procedure upfront. Look for plans that have a reasonable interest rate and no annual fees. You shouldn't have to pay high prices just because you can't afford teeth whitening out of pocket. The whole idea of financing a cosmetic procedure is to make it more accessible for you or your family. Therefore, any plan you sign up for should have reasonable fees. Shopping around will help you compare rates to find the best option available.
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About Me
There are more than two ways to straighten a smile, and in this blog, I plan to discuss them all. I plan to look at the differences between braces and retainers and explain why sometimes you may need them both. I look at the differences in cost, time commitment and efficacy. Personally, I have had a bit of experience with this subject – I had braces as a young teen, and I had a permanent retainer. In this blog, I discuss what I have learned, and I present all kinds of new information on the topic. Whether you are trying to make decisions for yourself or your child. I hope you find this information useful.