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The appointment when you get your appliances (braces, expanders, etc.) usually takes from 30 to 90 minutes. You'll then see us at regular intervals — 4 to 8 weeks apart for an adjustment. We make every effort to be on time for our patients, and ask that you
extend the same courtesy to us. If you cannot keep an appointment,
please notify us immediately. Cancel only if it is an emergency.
It is difficult to reschedule you since most appointments
are made 4 to 8 weeks in advance.
The cost of treatment depends on the severity of the patient's
problem. You will be able to discuss fees and payment options
before treatment begins. We have payment plans to suit
different budgets, including a no-down-payment option.
We also accept assignment from most insurance plans, and
file the necessary papers to the insurance company. We
work hard to make orthodontics affordable.
If you should have any questions regarding financing, please discuss them with us. We wish to work as a team to insure excellent service and communication. In an effort to keep orthodontic fees down while maintaining the highest level of professional care, we have established the following financial policies:
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If full payment is made at the onset of treatment, we will offer a fee discount.
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Many patients' families are concerned about the cost of orthodontic care. Let us assure you immediately that we will work with you to fit orthodontic expenses into your monthly budget. We also will work with your insurance company (if applicable) to decrease your out-of-pocket expenses.
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We believe in being up-front about expenses. All fees will be discussed with you, so you will always be aware of any cost of a procedure.
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To fit your individual needs, financial arrangements can be made to extend your payments over a period of months. Usually the monthly installment payments for treatment are spread over the number of months of the active treatment.
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If for any reason you fall behind in your financial arrangements, please do NOT miss appointments; this can adversely affect treatment. If you should fall behind in your payments, we will courteously remind you about our arrangements.
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For your convenience, we accept payment by cash, check, VISA, MASTERCARD, American Express, and Discover. We offer automatic payment via credit card or check, and your financial and insurance information can always be viewed by accessing our web site www.GerschOrthodontics.com. There too you can pay online, see your account, view your photos, records, etc...
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Care Credit is available for those patients looking for another payment option. It is a payment plan that will allow you to spread out payments for up to four years with NO initial down-payment. Ask our treatment coordinator for details.
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In cases of serious delinquency, treatment will be discontinued, although we will make every effort to accommodate patients with temporary difficulties
If you have orthodontic insurance, or believe you may have coverage, please be certain to inform our staff - we will help you to determine the coverage you have available. We do participate with several dental plans. Our office must send a completed form into the insurance carrier to receive pre-authorization of coverage to make certain that your insurance will indeed cover the orthodontic therapy.
There are many different agreements between insurance carriers and their subscribers, and each contract provides a different benefit. However, orthodontic insurance generally differs from regular dental insurance in that each insured individual has a lifetime maximum benefit for orthodontic services. This benefit is paid as a percentage of the orthodontic fee (diagnostic records, initial fee, monthly fee, etc.) until the benefit maximum has been reached. Orthodontic insurance is a separate benefit from your dental insurance, just as dental insurance is a different benefit than medical insurance. Your use of your dental insurance does not affect the orthodontic financial coverage and vice versa.
We will file your insurance with the appropriate insurance carrier. We will fill in all information regarding diagnosis, treatment, time, and fees. We ask that you assign your insurance benefit to us. Professional care is provided to you, our patient, and not to an insurance company. Thus, the insurance company is responsible to the patient and the patient is responsible to the doctor. We will help in every way we can in filing your claim and handling insurance questions from our office on your behalf. If for any reason your insurance coverage is canceled, you are responsible for the amount the insurance company has not paid. Please realize: All orthodontic insurance payments are paid out over the time of the active treatment - we absolutely do not receive the insurance reimbursement coverage in one, quick, lump sum payment.
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