Baton Rouge Dentist

Is Care Credit a Legitimate Way to Afford Dental Implants?

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After years of having a bridge, and other unsuccessful treatments, I’m in need of four dental implants on my top arch. My insurance won’t cover them at all, and I don’t have the funds to pay at once. The dental office is offering me financing through a third party (Care Credit) to assist with paying the costs. I’m on the fence about applying as I don’t have the best credit, and already have a credit card that is maxed out. Is this a realistic option for me to pursue, in order to obtain affordable dental implants?

Andrew L. – Boston

Andrew,

There are few worse feelings than needing health care and not being able to afford it. Dental Implants are by far the better treatment for missing teeth, but their cost is sometimes a hindrance for patients. Care Credit is one way of getting affordable dental implants and it sounds like the path your dentist prefers.

Care Credit is specifically a healthcare credit card, used exclusively for healthcare services, though not all providers participate.

Unlike commercial credit cards, a Care Credit account allows you to select the terms of what you finance. You can get no interest financing every time you use it. If you need more time to pay for your procedure, you can take advantage of extended payment plans with low, fixed interest rates. While they offer many different plans to make your monthly payoff affordable check with your dental office as providers get to choose which specific promotions their office participates with.

Your dentist is a participating provider, so you should be able to apply in your dental office, and get an immediate response if you’ve been approved of not. Approval is based on past credit history, but even if your credit has blemishes, it does not mean you won’t be approved. There is an option for a co-applicant as well.

Once approved, your dental office will “run” the charges for treatment on your Care Credit card, and you should receive your first billing statement within 30 days of that transaction. Another benefit is no pre-payment penalties if your finances change and you want to pay it off early.

This blog is brought to you by Dr. Ryan Perry.

Need too much work done

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I just switched dentists because I moved out of state. The new dentist said I need a ton of work done. Way more work than I have the money for. Are there more affordable ways of getting a bunch of work done, like a bulk discount I can ask for?  Give me the inside scoop and deals.

Benj. – Milwaukee, WI

Benj,

There isn’t some inside passcode to get significant secret discounts, if that’s what you mean, but there are ways to do this treatment affordably. My suggestion would be phased treatment.

What I would do first is ask your dentist to list what you need in order of priority. Then do one or two treatments at a time, as you can afford it. Combine that with some low (or no) interest payment plans from a medical card, like care credit and you’ll be able to get all the work done in now time.

Also, be sure to talk to your dentist and let him or her know your financial situation. They may have some specific specials or plans unique to that practice which could be helpul.

This blog is brought to you Baton Rouge Dentist Dr. Ryan Perry.