Wouldn't it be great if vitally necessary dental procedures and medical emergencies waited until your bank account was at its most flush to arise? Sadly, medical and dental needs don't adhere to a budget. In fact, it can seem as though these issues make a point of popping up only when every available dollar is already spoken for.
Unfortunately, "money's a little tight these days" doesn't slow tooth decay, reduce inflammation in the gums, or alleviate the pain of an exposed nerve. Many patients are forced to consider other options to pay for their dental needs. To help, CareCredit has been on hand for more than 30 years, allowing people to meet their dental needs without short-circuiting their finances.
What Is CareCredit Dental Financing?
CareCredit is a credit card that helps you pay for healthcare (including dental) treatments and procedures that are not typically covered by insurance.
Since 1987, CareCredit has helped make dental care available to as many patients as possible. Since then, CareCredit has expanded beyond dental care and provides financing for cosmetic, ophthalmological, veterinary, and other medical services.
CareCredit can be a convenient way for those who cannot afford the up-front cost of dental procedures to get that necessary work done and pay it off through monthly payments that fit within their budgets.
What Dental Treatments Can Be Paid for with CareCredit?
CareCredit offers individuals a way to ensure their dental health on an ongoing basis. This is done by providing the option to get preventative, corrective, and even cosmetic dental procedures that are not covered by insurance done as they are needed rather than simply when it's financially convenient.
CareCredit offers financing for a wide range of recommended surgical and non-surgical dental procedures and associated costs, including:
- Dental crowns
- Oral surgery
- Root canals
- Dental fillings and sealants
- Periodontal treatment, such as gum treatment
- Orthodontic treatment, including braces and clear aligners
- Cosmetic dental procedures such as porcelain veneers, dental bonding, dental implants, and even teeth whitening
- Routine check-ups and cleanings for those without basic dental insurance
- Copayments, deductibles, and prescriptions
What Is the Process for Getting CareCredit Financing?
As with any credit card, CareCredit requires a basic credit check and approval. For patients interested in obtaining CareCredit, the company website offers both a telephone number and an online form through which to submit an application, with a decision provided within minutes. This application will require some basic personal and financial information, including income and credit score, and possibly proof of income or employment.
How Do I Use CareCredit?
It's easy! Upon approval, rather than on receipt of the physical card, a patient is free to begin scheduling procedures with over 250,000 health-focused providers and retail locations. For anyone just starting out using CareCredit, there are some important things to keep in mind.
1. Confirm that your dentist accepts CareCredit. Not all dental providers will accept CareCredit, so check with your dentist before applying. If your dentist does accept CareCredit, they should be able to provide you with more information about specific procedures that can be financed using the card. Always ask before using CareCredit.
2. Choose a financing plan. CareCredit offers several standard and promotional financing plans (of 6, 12, 18, and 24 months) with different terms and interest rates for each plan. Each CareCredit user should take care to not only choose the plan that fits their budget and anticipated dental expenses but also carefully read the terms and conditions.
3. Use the CareCredit card. Once approved for CareCredit, you can pay for your dental expenses by simply presenting your card at your dentist's office at the time of payment.
4. Make monthly payments. CareCredit users must make timely monthly payments, online or by mail, to avoid late fees and penalties. Read the terms and conditions before using CareCredit.
As with any credit card, the burden of responsible use and timely payments does fall upon the user of the card. It is important to read the fine print before you use CareCredit. While CareCredit can be a very convenient means for paying for dental care, it is up to the patient to manage the monthly cost of dental procedures.
CareCredit users who mismanage this can find themselves back in the very financial bind they were trying to escape, only now with another interest-accruing monthly payment and the risk of higher interest rates and fees in the event of late or missed payments.
CareCredit Dentist in Royal Palm Beach and Wellington, FL
If you're in Royal Palm Beach/Wellington and are in need of a dentist who accepts payment via CareCredit, don't hesitate to get in touch with dentist Dr. Steven Bussell and the team at Affordable Dental Center of Wellington to schedule a consultation appointment to discuss your specific dental care needs and payment options.