Anyone do suresmile w/braces? Worth $$ also do ORTHOs negotiate??

[TnTWalter]

Just found out I have to pay for TWO kids to get braces...been preparing for it....but OUCH.

$9k for both if I pay in full, otherwise it's about $9700 stretched out in monthly payments with no interest....this is for both kids.

Plus there's an option for $395 each to do suresmile technology which could speed up the process by 3-6 months [no guarantee] but it sounds good.

Anyone with experience? My older DD wants to do this as she doesn't want them on any longer than necessary.

Of course, they don't take my AMEX so I'm pondering getting a bunch of $500 gift cards at Kroger to get 5% rewards .....LOL.

Has anyone negotiated with orthodontists before? Our dental insurance covers zippo and we can't do an HSA.

Trish

 

[ceecee]

Some orthodontists may give you a small % off if you have several in braces at once. Suresmile is fairly new, so make sure your chosen ortho has finished his courses. I personally wouldn't spend the extra $ especially if they are charging $395.00. That's around $100 a month! AND there is no guarantee, most ortho cases are only 18-20 months.

 

[clh2]

My sister had luck negotitating with an ortho. The background - her DD had a great ortho - and when DS needed to start treatments, her insurance plan had changed so they technically needed to use a different ortho.

My sister went to the "preferred" ortho and said - my insurance company says I need to use "the other guy" and I would prefer to use you. My out of pocket with the new insurance company is $XXXX. Can would that amount work for you to treat my DS.

The preferred ortho accepted the deal.

You have "nothing" to lose by asking the ortho. NOTHING. They will either accept, counter, or refuse to talk.

And - the one thing I can recommend for "helping" the cost - is are you able to use any health-spending dollars that are pre-tax? That is a great way to take the sting out of the cost of braces, but if you didn't make the appropriate election at the beginning of the year, wouldn't help you out this year. HOWEVER...don't forget...if you do extended payments, you can take a health flex spending election in 2014 and beyond too.

 

[bigmamimia]

Have you looked into any local orthodontics schools? I don't know for sure but I would think you could get a discount if not free. Even if you have to drive an hour or more away it would be worth it. I don't know anything about sure smile. My orthodontist lets me make monthly payments for the duration of the braces with no extra charges tacked on. However, I had to make a huge up front payment I think it was several thousand. Also be prepared for possible dental work in the future (teeth being pulled).

 

[tinker&belle]

You said you can't do HSA...what about an FSA?

 

[purpledisneyprncess]

I'm not sure about the suresmile thing but you definitely can try and negotiate. We did that and it worked!!

 

[Cindy B]

That price isn't terrible for two kids. I've been there- had both kids in braces.

Definitely look and see if a FSA would work for you. That was wonderful forp us. We got the amounts; (we did these appointments near open enrollment time) set up the FSA to begin as of January of the next year and it was all paid by January.

 

[TnTWalter]

no FSA option either darnit...

 

[danygirl]

Sure smile is awesome!! Dd just got her sure smile wires two weeks ago and the results are dramatic. Well worth the extra $$$. She will spend 9 months total in braces and her teeth were a mess!! That is a year of appointments I don't have to take off work to get her to!!!! The technology is amazing. She is thrilled to only have a month to go, her sibs were in braces was at longer. There are times when it is worth it to spend more and sure smile is one of them . Our ortho doesn't do reg braces anymore because this is so much better

 

[jmartinez1895]

I agree that 9k for 2 kids is not that bad ( I paid 5600 for just one and I have 2 more that will need them). Or course, good deal or not, that does not make it any less painful to pay for. Our ortho offers discounts for each additional child. We paid full price for my oldest. The next one to get them will get 5% off or $200 ,which ever is greater and the next will get 10% off or $300. Also, since you are paying OOP I would shop around and get quotes from as many as I could find. Then trust your gut. We had a quote from one that would have saved us about 500, but something just did not set well with me about him so I went with who I liked the most.
I have not heard about suremile, but I will be asking about it for my next child

 

[TnTWalter]

Thanks for all advice.

DH tried to talk them into suresmile for free but they were adamant that they do not negotiate. Also wouldn't give more off for cash. It's a straight 7% for paying in full however you pay. We are getting a $200 sibling discount on one of the girls.

Thankfully we have the cash just trying to get most bang for buck.

 

[Fab4@disney]

I see you are located in Indy, as are we. We just signed my daughter up at Indiana University School of Orthodontics for regular braces. They only charge 3400.00 total for 2 years of appointments and first retainer included. They are all super nice and have orthodontists there to assist the students. Lucky we have dental insurance that pays $1500.00 of it. Good Luck whatever way you choose!

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

Suresmile, Like Invisalign, is a product the orthodontist purchases. They are paying for the computerized alignment and digital model viewing software. So... no discount.

When I interviewed orthodontists for my DD I made it clear we were shopping. By the time I interviewed the doctor we ultimately chose I knew she would be my pick. They offered me a discount on the spot if I made my decision that day. I countered with a discount and clear brackets for the top teeth at no additional charge. They accepted. Fabulous orthodontist with exceptional service.

Good luck!

Thanks for all advice.

DH tried to talk them into suresmile for free but they were adamant that they do not negotiate. Also wouldn't give more off for cash. It's a straight 7% for paying in full however you pay. We are getting a $200 sibling discount on one of the girls.

Thankfully we have the cash just trying to get most bang for buck.

 

[TnTWalter]

I see you are located in Indy, as are we. We just signed my daughter up at Indiana University School of Orthodontics for regular braces. They only charge 3400.00 total for 2 years of appointments and first retainer included. They are all super nice and have orthodontists there to assist the students. Lucky we have dental insurance that pays $1500.00 of it. Good Luck whatever way you choose!

My husband did that idea and we got a great deal. I wanted to go local for the girls.

Thanks all. Deal done. All good.

 

[tinker&belle]

I see you are located in Indy, as are we. We just signed my daughter up at Indiana University School of Orthodontics for regular braces. They only charge 3400.00 total for 2 years of appointments and first retainer included. They are all super nice and have orthodontists there to assist the students. Lucky we have dental insurance that pays $1500.00 of it. Good Luck whatever way you choose!

Is this in Indy or Bloomington?

 

[Fab4@disney]

Is this in Indy or Bloomington?

It's in Indy at the IUPUI campus downtown.