Hello, Dr. Dayanayev here from Steinway Family Dental Center. We get a lot of questions from you about dental financing and if it's available for you. Today, we're going to answer some of the most common questions that we received from you.
If I need some dental procedure but don't have the money to do it, is the financial financing option available?
Yes, it is available. It depends on your credit score, of course, because most of the time it is from the bank, and they want to know based on the amount of money you need and the time you want to pay it back. If it is something we can do in maybe two payments, we can handle it right here in the office without involving any banks. But if it's something that you need a long time for, say two to three years, then that would come from the bank.
Will I have to pay for my dental procedures up front?
Different arrangements can be made, but it's best if we first deal with the financial aspect and then just focus on the treatment without revisiting financial concerns. For example, I had a patient who started Invisalign and then couldn't afford retainers. We ended up wasting money and time on Invisalign without retaining the teeth's position. I'd rather know that ahead of time. So, everything should be clear: this is the bill, this is the cost, and this is what we need to do. Everything is covered, and we don't have to discuss payments again.
What dental financing options are available and how do they work?
One option is to pay as you go. For example, if the procedure is $10 and you want to pay $5 at the start and $5 at the finish over two visits, you'd pay $5 at the first visit and another $5 at the next. If the payment is more than $10, say $12, and you want to pay over a year, there are interest-free plans for up to two years. Your payment might be $1 a month. Of course, the actual numbers are higher. If you can't afford $1 a month, you can pay 50 cents a month for two years, interest-free, if your credit score allows it. If you need more time, options are available for up to eight years. You can borrow money, and although the company charges interest for longer terms, there's no prepayment penalty, allowing you to finish payments sooner without accruing additional interest.
Does all dental financing require a credit check?
If you get a payment plan from your doctor, then no, it does not require a credit check. However, if you are getting a payment plan from the bank, they will perform a "soft check." This doesn't show up on your credit score or affect it. The bank just wants to know your credit score to determine how much money to give you.
Do insurance companies cover all dental costs?
Many patients believe that insurance companies will cover everything, but it's often a surprise when not everything is covered. Most insurances cover procedures by percentage, dividing them into basic, major, and preventative categories. Preventative care, like exams, x-rays, and sometimes teeth polishing, is covered at 100%. Other procedures are covered at less than 100%, like 80% or 50%, depending on your employer's selected plan. They also set a yearly limit, such as $1,000, $2,000, or $2,500, based on your plan, so they don't want you to use all your funds on checkups alone. They specify coverage for each procedure, often requiring co-payments.
How can I find out if my dental insurance will cover the cost of my dental procedures that I need?
We offer a complimentary insurance check. You can visit us, and one of my staff members, depending on your needs and insurance, can help determine what you need, the cost, and how much your insurance will cover.
If my dental insurance will only partially cover the cost of my dental treatment, can I borrow the rest of it?
Yes, you can. You can finance the remainder with various options we offer to cover the cost and get the necessary work done.
Can Steinway Family Dental Center help me to get the help that I need to finance the treatment that I will require?
Absolutely, yes. We have staff members who will check your insurance and help you understand how much you can expect from your insurance for your dental procedures and your financial responsibility. They will also provide different offers from various companies, allowing you to choose the payment option you're comfortable with.
That's all the questions we have on this subject. If you have specific questions about your particular case, you can call my staff at Steinway Family Dental Center at (718) 728-3314 or request an appointment online at alldentalneeds.com, and someone will get back to you to answer your questions.
Thank you for choosing Steinway Family Dental Center. Our primary goal is not to allow the cost of treatment to prevent you from benefiting from the quality care you need or desire. In our office, we strive to maximize your insurance benefits and make any remaining balance easily affordable. With that in mind we offer our patients payment options to help ease the process.
We accept the following forms of payments: Cash, Visa, MasterCard, American Express or Discover Card. Our office also offers Convenient Monthly Payment Options through: Care Credit and Lending Club, which allows you to pay over time (Up to 84 months extended payment plans).
