Having to pay “out of pocket” for braces without the help of dental insurance can be overwhelming. The good news is that it happens everyday and if you are paying for braces without insurance, we’re here to help you through it. As the old saying goes, “where there’s a will, there’s a way” and that definitely applies here. If you or your child needs braces, you need to know that there are options out there to help you pay for them.

Paying for Braces without Insurance

Orthodontics is a business, but it’s also a service and many offices are open to working with their patients to find the financing option that’s right for them.

In-Office Financing

Some orthodontic offices offer payment plans to help break up the cost of braces into smaller sums that are paid over the course of months or years. This is often necessary if you do not have insurance to rely on for some of the expense.

An in-house payment plan is a great alternative to financing from a bank because the money is often paid back at little or no interest. You can pay off the cost of braces more quickly without giving up some of your hard-earned money toward an interest payment.

In-office financing is most common at larger offices that have the resources to fund and manage it, and less common among sole proprietors and smaller practices. The financing office at your orthodontist will work with you to set up a payment plan that is specific to your treatment and budget.

Private Financing

If your orthodontist does not offer its own payment plan, there is another option out there for paying for braces without insurance that might be a better alternative than using a credit card or taking out a loan to pay for braces.

CareCredit is a health care financing company that has been around for more than 30 years and is designed to assist patients without insurance by spreading out the cost of braces and other large-scale dental and medical treatments.

If you are wary about opening another line of credit just for braces, weigh the benefits of adding large charges to your existing credit cards vs. starting something new.

Special Offers

Like any business, it’s sometimes necessary to create offers as a way to entice new patients. Sure, there are plenty of people who have braces but there are many more who should have them and do not because they feel they can’t afford them.

Much like a sale in a department store, sometimes a little extra incentive is all it takes to get someone through the door and on their way to treatment. Deals are particularly common for new patients and existing patients who refer friends and family to the practice.

Some offices may even offer discounts in exchange for sharing their business and helping spread the word about their practice on social media. Before you assume that braces are out of your payment range, ask whether any special offers are available or shop around until you find an offer that works best for you.

Crowdfunding

If you need help coming up with the money for a lump-sum cash payment or a payment plan, look no further than crowdfunding. Sites like GoFundMe and YouCaring allow you to set up a campaign for your specific need and financial goal.

All you need to do is create an account on the site and write a description of what the funds collected will be used for. Add photos or make a video to enhance the story, and the likelihood that someone will donate.

You will receive a link that you can share however you’d like. The more you share, the easier it will be to hit your target. Your page will also be available on the site for anyone to find through a search.

Crowdfunding is a great way to leverage the power of social media and ask others for money in a non-embarrassing way. For example, you would never think of calling your friends from high school to ask for money for braces, but they might contribute to your campaign if you post a GoFundMe link on Facebook.

Speak Up

The first step to finding payment options for braces without insurance is to let your orthodontist know that you will be paying for them on your own. Once they know your situation then they can help you set up financing, or might even have other ideas to suggest.

If you are shopping for braces and live in Chicago, Addison, Elgin, or Burr Ridge, Illinois, call us today to schedule a 100% free orthodontic consultation and discuss the payment options and terms that we can provide for you.

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