What do patient diagnoses and patient financing have in common? Both are driven by individual circumstances. Just as no treatment plan is exactly the same, neither are any two patients’ financial situations. Patients may need routine preventive care, emergency treatment, or comprehensive restorative plans. As circumstances can change quickly, assumptions should never be made about a patient’s ability to pay.
Every patient deserves quality care from their trusted provider, but financial barriers can stand in the way. A provider offering compassionate care with convenient and thoughtful financing tools can be a lifeline. By being attuned to your patients’ concerns and responsive to their needs, you can remain a continuous provider for all, regardless of their oral or financial situation.
Explore these financing scenarios you may come across, and the resolution for each.
What Happens When Patients Lose Insurance Coverage?
When a loyal patient recently lost her job and dental insurance, she called to cancel her routine cleaning and voiced her concerns on how she could continue her care. The staff introduced her to a dental savings plan. This would allow her to maintain her dental care with her preferred provider without the burden of insurance. She signed up, rescheduled her appointment, and continued her care at an affordable cost. Even after finding new employment and receiving insurance, she chose to stick with the dental savings plan for its predictable costs, service discounts, and the absence of a deductible or waiting period that comes with a new enrollment. This became the best option for her long-term dental care.
Patients Want Alternatives to Paying With a Personal Credit Card.
Another patient, living in an affluent area, was planning to pay for dental implants with a personal credit card. When the treatment coordinator offered a low interest financing solution, he decided to apply, avoiding a hefty lump-sum payment. He qualified in minutes, received immediate treatment, and the extra funds allowed him to address some other unexpected expenditures.
Patients With No Credit History Need Financing Options.
A recent college graduate from a low-income household had neglected her dental care due to financial constraints. In severe pain, she searched online for a local dentist but feared she couldn’t afford the treatment. When she discovered a nearby practice offering financing, she skeptically applied with the online pre-qualification tool. Despite having no credit history, she was approved for the amount needed. With the financial barrier removed, she booked an appointment, received treatment, and even used the remaining balance for a dental savings plan. This marked the beginning of her routine care.
Why CarePay+ Matters
These stories share a common thread: Patterson’s CarePay+ empowers providers to deliver optimal care, regardless of financial circumstances. Offering patient-friendly solutions such as dental discount plans, financing, and payment processing, CarePay+ equips your practice with tools to address diverse patient needs. Incorporating the solutions with every treatment plan keeps your practice proactive and agile, with comprehensive patient care at the forefront.
Learn more about CarePay+ HERE.
