Hello, this is Dr. Virginia Ellis at Virginia Ellis DDS Dental Corp. Today I'm going to cover a very important topic for many people: dental financing. Here we go. One thing I want to emphasize, and I cannot overemphasize, in dentistry you get what you pay for. When you visit a dentist, don't just choose the cheapest option, as that may not be the best for you. If it's affordable and offers great service and quality, that's wonderful. However, in my field, delivering a great patient experience, with well-trained staff and high-quality work, requires investment from the dental practice. It costs money to provide this level of care. Remember, in dentistry, you get what you pay for. Think twice before opting for something very cheap, as it might compromise the time spent with you, personal attention, experience, quality of care, and the quality of the products, like fillings and crowns. There is a difference. Not everyone is the same, so keep that in mind. Your teeth are extremely important. They affect how you eat, speak, chew, and look. It's definitely crucial. Once you lose a tooth, it's never the same. You can find other options to replace it, but why not invest in your teeth when it's something you use every day? You have them 24 hours a day inside your body, and they significantly impact your quality of life. Think twice before being frugal in that area.
If I need a dental procedure but don't have the cash to cover it, are financing options available?
Yes, every practice is different. You should be upfront and tell the staff and front desk about your options and the findings from your exam. Explain your financial challenges and ask what can be done. If you do this, we will work with your needs. If you need to stage the procedure or make other adjustments, it's understandable. Some people are embarrassed about this, but remember, we understand you. We don't judge. We're here to help you and want you to get what you need when you need it. In our office, we offer third-party financing, such as Care Credit, which you apply for online. Unfortunately, this can no longer be done at the office, as the company requires you to apply privately outside of the office. You will need a credit check. Care Credit works like a credit card—they don't charge interest, but if you're late, the finance charges will increase significantly. It's important to be aware of this. The nice thing about Care Credit is that it's not limited to dentistry. You can use it for optometry, veterinary services, and other healthcare services. Keep that in mind. In my practice, if you pay upfront with cash or check, I offer a professional courtesy discount of 5%, which is significant given the high overhead in dentistry.
Will I have to pay for my dental procedure upfront?
It depends on the type of practice you visit and their financial policies. In my practice, you pay for the portion you're responsible for at the time of service. If you have insurance and we work with it, we'll bill the insurance for the estimated coverage, and you'll pay your estimated financial responsibility. No doctor can guarantee the exact amount you owe, even with preapproval, because insurance companies will only confirm payment after processing the claim. In my office, if you have insurance we work with—and we work with almost all of them—the decision on what to cover is determined by them. We work for you, not the insurance company. We represent you. We submit claims on your behalf as a courtesy, although some offices don't. We do it to make it easier for you. We accept credit card payments, Apple Pay, and other methods to facilitate payment. Checks, cash, credit card, or third-party financing like Care Credit are options. We quickly process insurance claims, often settling them in about two weeks. However, this timeline can be affected by complications, such as when both spouses have dual insurance and insurance companies dispute payment responsibility. We're efficient with processing claims so you can receive reimbursement from the insurance company. Regarding assignment of benefits, if your insurance allows it, the insurance company writes a check directly to the dentist. Some companies don't offer this, compelling dentists to contract with them, which isn't ideal. If they send the check to you, we ask for upfront payment because people sometimes keep the check and don't pay us, making it difficult to collect. It doesn't happen often, but it does occur. To keep it straightforward and responsible, we ask for upfront payment. It's like going to Nordstrom or the grocery store—you're expected to pay when you receive the service or product. It's a reasonable request.
Does all dental financing require a credit check?
As far as I know, Care Credit does require a credit check because it's like a credit card. Most credit card applications require a credit check to determine how reliable you are likely to be in paying the bill.
Does dental insurance typically cover the cost of most dental procedures?
No, it does not. Never assume dental insurance will cover all your fees. That is rare. When dental insurance first appeared in the early 1960s, they covered about $2,000 a year, which was substantial at the time. They have not increased coverage in 60 years. Consider it a coupon or a discount for membership. Don't expect them to cover everything. Most insurances have a maximum coverage of $1,500 to $2,000. Don't assume unlimited coverage. They pay very little, just enough to help with expenses. Coverage varies for fillings, crowns, and cleanings, depending on the contract between the insurance company and your employer. The employer negotiates coverage terms, and different employment levels might have different coverages. Higher-level positions may have better coverage than lower-level ones. The best way to understand your coverage is to call your insurance carrier for an explanation. It can be confusing, so when you visit us, it takes 45 minutes to an hour to verify coverage with the insurance company. Even then, coverage isn't guaranteed. That's how they operate, and it doesn't involve us. It's just their method.
If my insurance will only partially cover the cost of my dental procedure, can financing options help me pay for the rest?
Yes, they can. You can use Care Credit, a credit card, or pay privately with a check. Don't expect the insurance company to cover 100% of your dental work. I don't know of any policy that does. Perhaps one or two for high-level CEOs, but even then, the monthly premiums are high enough that you're essentially paying for your own cleanings and x-rays. That's why some insurance covers the full cleaning or x-rays; the premiums are high enough to cover them. You're not getting anything for free.
Can Virginia H Ellis DDS Dental Corp help me find financing options so that I can get the dental care that I need?
Yes, we will. We submit claims for you if you have dental insurance. If you're about to start a new job or change insurance, call our front desk and talk to our insurance coordinator. She can help you understand what your insurance covers, allowing you to make informed decisions about the best dental coverage for you and your family.
How can I get started with dental financing?
Ask the front desk. Call us, and we will guide you. We'll provide guidance on options. If you have questions about your insurance company, we're happy to help. We are patient-driven, not insurance-driven. We work on your behalf to help you get the best dental work and experience to meet your dental needs.
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We accept the following financing:
5% Discount for cash or check payments at the time of the service.
* Not related to insurance.