Financial Arrangements
If you're concerned that orthodontic treatment may be costly, we understand. After improving hundreds of smiles, we can honestly say that the cost of orthodontics is modest compared to the life-changing effects of a beautiful smile. The cost for orthodontic treatment varies depending on the type of treatment, the time and expense necessary to treat your particular condition, and the length of time we will need to monitor you once treatment is complete.
To help make treatment more affordable, we offer a variety of options, including interest free payment plans and financing through CareCredit. We extend a discount for payment in-full at the start of treatment. With our payment plans, we will arrange a monthly payment schedule to accommodate your financial needs. Please bring your initial payment on the day your appliances are placed.
For your convenience, we accept Visa and MasterCard, and can also set up an automatic deduction from your credit card or bank account.
- Option 1 – Payment in full with a 5% discount when appliances are placed.
- Option 2 – An initial payment, followed by monthly payments.
- Option 3 – Financing through CareCredit. (no initial payment needed)
Account Delinquency
- Late payments will be assessed an $25 late fee.
- Delinquent accounts for more than 30 days will receive a 30-day letter. Patients will be seen in this month but no active treatment performed, though we will evaluate oral hygiene and check for broken or loose appliances.
- Accounts delinquent for more than 60 days will have late charges assessed on both missed payments, in addition to no active treatment being performed.
- When accounts are more than 90 days delinquent, the patient will be dismissed from our office, severing any responsibility of our office to the patient. Further treatment will need to be performed by a different office unless the account is brought up-to-date.
Extra Charge Policies
- Appointments which are cancelled or rescheduled within 24 hours of the appointment will incur a $35 fee per 20 minutes of appointment time.
- Returned checks of insufficient funds error for automatic withdrawals will incur a $25 charge.
- Appliances which are broken as a result of neglect or poor patient cooperation will be charged a $25 repair fee, due at the time of repair.
- Treatment time which is extended unduly as a result of poor patient cooperation (lack of headgear/elastics use, poor oral hygiene, etc.) will be charged additional monthly charges appropriate to the situation. Patients can also be dismissed from our practice due to poor cooperation.
- If replacement retainers (after the first set) are damaged, lost, or otherwise need replacing, we will charge appropriately for the cost of repairing the retainer or making a new one.
Insurance
If your dental insurance covers orthodontic treatment, you will receive the benefit of reduced personal costs. We'd be glad to work with you and your insurance carrier to ensure you receive the maximum benefits allowed under your policy. As a courtesy, we process all insurance claims. However, please remember our financial relationship is with you, not your insurance company. You are responsible for any fees not covered by your insurance carrier.
Patients often ask us how orthodontic insurance works. Nowadays, there are several different agreements between insurance companies and their subscribers. Each contract provides a different benefit. All treatments, including some high quality procedures, are not covered by dental insurance. While we strive to provide the highest quality care possible, insurance companies often only cover basic services.
With orthodontic insurance, each insured family member usually has a lifetime maximum benefit. The benefit is paid as a percentage of the fee until the maximum benefit is reached. Please note, insurance companies do not pay the orthodontic fee in a lump sum. Payments are spread out over the course of treatment.
- Benefit Calculation: Each policy maintains its own formula for calculating the amount to be paid toward the initial fee for appliance placement or subsequent monthly fees. Generally, insurance companies pay a percentage of the total fee up to the lifetime maximum. Your policy may have a yearly deductible.
- Multiple Coverage: If you have more than one orthodontic insurance policy, the carriers will decide which plan is the primary policy. This is typically determined based on the birthdates of the insured parties. However, this method of determination is not universal. The secondary insurance carrier will not make any payments until the primary carrier has determined what services will be covered. Typically, the secondary carrier requests written confirmation from the primary carrier detailing what benefits will be covered.
- Flexible Benefit Plans: Flexible Benefit Plans are also known as Flexible Spending Plans. These have become a very popular way of projecting "pre-tax" dollars that will be spent during the next plan year. You must declare this amount before the beginning of the plan year. The plan year for the policy may not be a calendar year. You may wish to confirm the beginning of the plan year. Utilizing this method, you stand to receive the greatest benefit, since you are planning in advance how orthodontic treatment will fit into your company's plan for that year.
Once we receive your insurance information, we will bill your carrier directly. All insurance benefits will be assigned to our office. We do not provide service on the assumption that the charges will be paid by your insurance carrier. If the insurance company pays less than estimated, denies a claim, or stops payments you are responsible for paying any remaining fees. If the insurance pays more than estimated, you will receive a refund when the account is paid in full.