Lots of patients choose self-pay over their dental office filing a dental claim, and for a variety of reasons. Some opt-out of dental plans due to high deductibles; others would rather take advantage of self-pay discounts; folks who work for or run small businesses and start-ups sometimes don’t have the option of insurance coverage at all!
What most self-pay patients have in common, though, is the challenge of budgeting. May try to budget throughout the year to pay for their dental care as needed, but what happens when a costly dental bill comes your way unexpectedly?
It’s for times such as these that CareCredit exists. Here’s what you need to know about CareCredit, how it works, and why it’s a great payment option for South Florida Dental patients.
How CareCredit Works
CareCredit is a line of credit that can be used at various healthcare providers for services, including South Florida Dental. Basically, it’s a credit card specifically for medical expenses.
So why would you use CareCredit and not simply one of your other credit cards? The company frequently offers financing specials such as zero percent interest for between six and 24 months, depending on the amount charged to the card.
If the amount that needs to be charged is above $2,500, you may be able to get the zero percent interest rate for up to 60 months, depending on your credit history.
Why CareCredit May Be for You
The ability to put your balance on a CareCredit card is advantageous for people encountering unexpected dental costs because it gives them time to make payments toward the balance without accruing interest if they pay off the balance within the promotional time limit.
Even if you have the funds available in savings to cover the cost of the procedure in full, it may be advantageous to explore your options with CareCredit.
When you pay in monthly installments with a healthcare credit card, it can be a bit better for your finances in the long run and allow you to keep funds in the bank that you may need for something else.
What CareCredit Covers
When it comes to dental work, CareCredit will finance a wide variety of cosmetic, restorative, and preventative procedures that your dental insurance may or may not cover.
These include procedures such as:
- Gingivitis prevention
- Invisalign teeth straightening
- Fluoride treatments
- Teeth cleaning
- Lumineers
- Root canals
- Ceramic fillings
- Periodontics
- Headgear
- Veneers
- Six month smiles
- Bite plates
If you find yourself in a position where you need some dental work done for you or your family that not’s covered by dental insurance, CareCredit is a good option to help spread out the cost and lessen the financial burden on you and your family.
How to Get a CareCredit Card
If you’re interested in a CareCredit card, then apply by phone or on the company’s website. You can also apply while you’re visiting your dental office at the time of service. You simply need to supply your:
- Name
- Address
- Date of birth
- Social Security number
- Housing information
- Net income
You will also need to provide information about your provider as well as how you plan to use the CareCredit card to pay for healthcare costs.
Approvals are normally immediate, so there’s no waiting to find out if the funds will be available to you.
CareCredit can be a great option for many people. It’s worth your time to explore further if you encounter some dental costs that you may not expect or if you simply want to avoid dealing with a dental insurance company. Talk to us at South Florida Dental about payment options to see if CareCredit is a good option.
