Managing the Cost of Braces

The idea of having braces may seem far-fetched financially. With all of the daily expenses you have, combined with other bills and responsibilities, you may feel as though having a beautiful smile will never be within reach. Well, think again. There are several opportunities orthodontic practices are giving patients. The chance to have a perfect smile is well within reach for virtually anyone! When it comes to managing the cost of braces, you have options.

Finance Options

Many orthodontists offer finance options for patients to help curb the costs associated with treatment. Having a published low price for braces and Invisalign can help patients manage the financial responsibilities of orthodontic treatment in a way that works for them. Low prices and low down payments make orthodontic treatment a real option for many families and individuals who otherwise couldn’t afford it. There are no surprises and you’re able to work within your budget to create a plan that will work for you.

Braces shouldn’t break the bank. That’s why engaging in financing options through your orthodontist is a way for you to customize their payment options into realistic installments, instead of a daunting figure that needs to be paid upfront.

Insurance Plans

Many orthodontists accept various insurance plans to help with the cost of treatment. It’s advised that you first check with your insurance provider to see if your plan covers orthodontic treatment. Many orthodontic practices, such as Charleston Orthodontic Specialists, accept all orthodontic insurance plans and will work with the insurance companies on the patient’s behalf. To see if using insurance is an option for you, speak with your provider or provide your insurance information when scheduling your initial consultation and someone on the team can check for you.

FSAs and HSAs

There are other options to help pay for orthodontic treatment and these come in the form of flexible spending accounts (FSA’s) and health savings accounts (HAS’s). To understand how they work, we must first learn what they are:

• FSA: Money is set aside from your paycheck before taxes. This money can then be used to pay for eligible healthcare expenses but must be used by the end of each year.
• HSA: Money is put into a special tax-advantage savings account. It can then be taken out to help pay for qualified medical expenses. The funds roll over from year to year, but HSA’s are only available to those who choose high-deductible insurance plans.

When you take money out of your HSA or FSA to pay for these qualified medical expenses, you won’t have to pay income taxes on that amount. Speak with your employer to see if this is an option that is offered to you.

Your Finance Options

As you can see, bringing orthodontic treatment within reach is possible for many more patients than in the past. With many orthodontic practices offering convenient ways to finance treatment, families and individuals alike are finally able to correct the issues with their teeth. Don’t let the worry about paying for braces or Invisalign deter you from fixing these issues. Select an orthodontist who will work with you to craft a treatment plan that fits into your budget.

At Charleston Orthodontic Specialists, we offer a variety of ways to get a spectacular smile! Call (843) 4-BRACES to learn more about our finance options.