Do you have a desire to get braces so you can have straight teeth? Perhaps you had braces as a child and are preparing for the time when your children may need them? With the popularity of braces on the rise, they are becoming more and more expensive. If you have a desire to get braces, but are unsure of pay for them, this article is for you.
Instructions
1. Use your dental insurance. Using dental insurance can help you save money on your orthodontic work. Braces can cost anywhere from $3,000 and up. Call your dental insurance provider prior to seeing the orthodontist to find out what kind of orthodontic benefits you’ll receive. You also need to make sure that your orthodontist is one of your dental insurance’s participating providers. You can do this by verifying both with your orthodontist and your insurance company.
2. Pay with cash. The ideal way to pay for braces is to pay the bills as they come. Often the orthodontist will ask for an initial amount and then bill you as you go. If you had to have braces as a kid, your children may end up needing them as well. Begin setting money aside while they are young and when it comes time for them to have braces, you’ll have the cash in hand.
3. Set up a flexible spending account. Ask your employer if they provide the option for you to have a flexible spending account. A flexible spending account allows you to take money out of your paychecks (tax-free) and set the funds aside in an account to be used for medical bills. You can then use the money from the flexible spending account to pay the orthodontic bills as they come along.
4. Set up an installment plan with the orthodontist. Most orthodontists will want a sizable payment up front and then will allow you to make monthly payments. If the billing department for your orthodontist won’t let you set up a payment plan, go to the doctor yourself. Ultimately, the doctor will have the final say about whether you can make payments or not.
5. Find a young orthodontist starting out. Often you can find braces at a much lower cost if going with an orthodontist who is just starting her business. It is a little risky because insurance companies will often cover braces only once in a patient’s lifetime. So you want to make sure you choose an orthodontist who will do the job the right way the first time.
Tags: dental insurance, flexible spending, flexible spending account, spending account, your dental