full payment for orthodontist?

[fac]

DD needs braces, I am prepared to pay upfront, however, I recalled reading that an orthodontist closed down the business and leaving his clients out of the money, hence my question is what protection do I have? what should I look for in the contract?

Here is the longer version...
I initially brought DD to see the orthodontist whom I saw more than 20 years ago, but as soon as the office manager found out we are covered by MetLife, she pushed hard for us to use the partner, according to her, the cost would be $4300, and if I were to use my previous orthodontist, the cost would be around 1500 higher because my previous orthodontist would be out-of-network.
What bugs me was that when I met with the new orthodontist, he changed the price to $4500 (because we have deductable, hence our out of pocket cost is not high). I brought it up to the office manager when we discussed the cost, she told me they just changed it on Oct 1, even our first visit was in Spetember and she scheduled the consultation appointment (to discuss the X-rays and the cost) in October, hence she could not give me the lower price. I really don't mind the $200 difference, but I suspect both of them were not honest, hence I am concerned that he would either disappear or declar bankruptcy. What should I make sure written in the contract? it is possible to ask for my original orthodontist to cover if anything happen to this orthodontist?

 

[petchie]

Our orthodontist expected us to set up a payment plan (monthly) for the costs insurance did not cover. When they handed me the sheet, it stated that the plan would have him paid off a full year prior to completion. I told them that was NOT satisfactory, that I refuse to pay in full for services that were not complete. They said they could not do it.

I then got up and walked out telling them there are TONS of orthodontists and I am sure I could find another with terms I deemed more satisfactory.

Needless to say they chased me into the parking lot to come back in and they would see what they could do.

I held back 25% of the payment until it was done and paid them that in one lump sum.

I would not pay a roofer, a cabinet maker, a painter etc in full for work not yet complete. A Dr. is not any better than they are. You can be sure no Dr. would pay in advance for those things either.

(can you tell I work in health care?)

 

[angierae]

We got saw three different orthodontists for DD15, and every single one of the required full payment up front or through Care Credit before they'd begin. I ended up going with an orthodontist that had been in business for 25 years because I liked what he suggested, treatment wise, and because I figured he wasn't going to disappear in the night.

 

[gillenkl]

we are in the process of getting "baby braces" - the price for the entire procedure was around $2700 and they immediately started talking payment plan. I don't need one more thing to try and remember so I said I'd pay upfront. I got this look from the office staff and then was offered a discount of around $200.

 

[SaraJayne]

We paid for DS's braces in full, since we got a substantial discount for doing it. I'm not worried about the ortho absconding with the money and leaving town.

We were offered a payment plan as an option, but we choose to do full payment to get the discount.

 

[Jenny-momof3]

We're going through a bit of a battle right now with the ortho for my oldest dd. We paid $6k upfront...big mistake! This dr. and his staff are not kind people to put it mildly! We really wanted to do someplace else but he would only refund $500...and it would cost much more than that to continue care someplace else!

We will definitely be doing the payment plan for the next 3 kids ( as it is we only saved 2% off the total bill anyways) and we will obviously be going to a different dr!

 

[Mommee]

DD needs braces, I am prepared to pay upfront, however, I recalled reading that an orthodontist closed down the business and leaving his clients out of the money, hence my question is what protection do I have? what should I look for in the contract?

Here is the longer version...
I initially brought DD to see the orthodontist whom I saw more than 20 years ago, but as soon as the office manager found out we are covered by MetLife, she pushed hard for us to use the partner, according to her, the cost would be $4300, and if I were to use my previous orthodontist, the cost would be around 1500 higher because my previous orthodontist would be out-of-network.
What bugs me was that when I met with the new orthodontist, he changed the price to $4500 (because we have deductable, hence our out of pocket cost is not high). I brought it up to the office manager when we discussed the cost, she told me they just changed it on Oct 1, even our first visit was in Spetember and she scheduled the consultation appointment (to discuss the X-rays and the cost) in October, hence she could not give me the lower price. I really don't mind the $200 difference, but I suspect both of them were not honest, hence I am concerned that he would either disappear or declar bankruptcy. What should I make sure written in the contract? it is possible to ask for my original orthodontist to cover if anything happen to this orthodontist?

An in-network ortho is payed by a fee schedule; I doubt they are somehow trying to put one over on you. The contractual price for being in-network likely rose just like they said.

If you don't trust the doctor, find a new one. Or pay in installments; I know our ortho offers interest-free installments over 18 months and a credit plan spread over a longer period of time.

 

[scrapquitler]

I wouldn't pay upfront, and frankly, I've never heard of an orthodontist that didn't do a payment plan. If I ran into an ortho who wouldn't offer a payment plan, I'd do this then find someone else to use, and I would tell the first one exactly WHY I was going somewhere else.

 

[musical2]

Our orthodontist gave us a choice of paying all upfront or a couple of payment plans. They gave a discount for paying all upfront so we did that.

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Our orthodontist also lets you make payments (interest free spread out over as long as your child is expected to be in them, for us 18 months.) You do get a discount for paying all at once which is what we did with DD11's phase 1 but not her phase 2 of DD16's braces because the discount was not as good as spreading it out over 2 years and using flex spending. For phade 1 we paid in full AND used flex speninding and it didn't exceed the year's max but the full braced woudl have.

I didn't do it cause I worried about them or the office closing, we love it there and al 3 girls have, are or will be haivng braces there. You have to go with someone yo uare happy with. I have a friend who had her DD get braces the same time as my DD16. They went for an estimate with our orthodontist who is, I admit, a bit more expensive. Her DH told us we were crazy for paying his prices. Well our DD was done in 18 onths (and her bite was awful) and their DD who had less to fix was in 5 years! In that time her ortho had a heartattack and retred so they sent them to someone else for free (they had paid it off) and they hated him so they found a new ortho and had to repay and in turn paid more them me. Sure it is unlikely, but she never felt about her doctor like I do about ours, she had a bad feeling and rightly so. So, if it doesn't seem right, go elsewhere, there are pleanty of them out there!

Good luck! We are half way done with paying off DD11's. We are going to pay what we owe off in January when the next year's flex kicks in. Then we get to start paying for round 3, well, 4 really since DD11 had the 2 rounds.

 

[GaSleepingBeautyFan]

I'd never pay upfront.

For the measly $200 discount I was offered to pay upfront for my DS braces, I said No thanks, I'll do the payment plan. If the Orthodontist had to close his business for whatever reason at least I wouldn't be out all of the money we'd saved up for the braces.

 

[mhsjax]

OUr ortho is also our dentist. He is a small family practice, and I mean no one outside of his family works there. He has been around for years and comes highly recommended by most of the pediatricians here.

Anyway, it came time for DD braces, we don't have dental and he did offer a payment plan but he gives a pretty large discount if paid in full, so we paid in full. It was about 500.00 cheaper. I trust him and I know that he won't leave or run with the money, he has been around too long.

I probably wouldn't pay anyone that I didn't know that well but for him, I had no problem doing this.

 

[JacksGirlz]

I am lucky and have good insurance so only had to pay $900 copay for which I did have the option to pay over time with no interest. The rest is covered by my insurance (for my DD12 phase 1 and phase 2). Plus I really like this orthodontist.

 

[SaraJayne]

I am lucky and have good insurance so only had to pay $900 copay for which I did have the option to pay over time with no interest. The rest is covered by my insurance (for my DD12 phase 1 and phase 2). Plus I really like this orthodontist.

Our insurance doesn't cover braces, so it was 100% OOP for us.

But we got over a $1000 discount for paying up front.

 

[Coll0610]

I didn't even think to worry about the ortho going out of business. For DS we did the payment plan. DH decided to go ahead with his during the summer and we didn't have any flex money. I told them I wanted to pay as little as possible that year and then I would pay the balance on 1/1, and they were willing to work with me. We do have insurance but it only paid $1000 each.

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We just had our 2nd son start his 2nd phase of braces so it's essentially our 4th time. We have always paid up front because of the 5% discount and the fact that I'd rather pay once and be done with it. We love our orthodontist and his office and it's a very large, very popular practice. I never even thought about the work not being finished.

 

[fac]

Our OOP is only $2500, they wanted us to pay $500 then the balance in 20 months. I have read on this board regarding discount, hence I asked the office manager about the discount if we were to pay upfront, she said no one ever asked before, hence she discussed with the orthodontist and offered me $150 for the discount. However, it was the sudden increase that bothers me. Initially they told me it was $4300 in a previous visit, but then after they found out the insurance pays $2000, I could hear the orthodontist talking that it wasn't much for them (meaning us), hence he asked for $4500.
I am kicking myself that I signed the contract and paid the deposit on that day.
There was a story on the news a few months ago about an orthodontist closing the business leaving his clients out of the money. Hence I just don't trust the office any more.

 

[Mommee]

Our OOP is only $2500, they wanted us to pay $500 then the balance in 20 months. I have read on this board regarding discount, hence I asked the office manager about the discount if we were to pay upfront, she said no one ever asked before, hence she discussed with the orthodontist and offered me $150 for the discount. However, it was the sudden increase that bothers me. Initially they told me it was $4300 in a previous visit, but then after they found out the insurance pays $2000, I could hear the orthodontist talking that it wasn't much for them (meaning us), hence he asked for $4500.
I am kicking myself that I signed the contract and paid the deposit on that day.
There was a story on the news a few months ago about an orthodontist closing the business leaving his clients out of the money. Hence I just don't trust the office any more.

OP, you were told your preferred ortho was $1500 more, you don't believe the office manager, you don't believe me....
why don't you call the insurance company? They should be able to confirm or deny the increase.
Regardless, if the price quoted at the initial visit was only valid that day (and you didn't sign the paperwork then..) I don't think there's much you can do. It's too bad you don't live here....the ortho is the only one in the area, well-known and liked, involved in all sorts of community activities, and certainly isn't going anywhere.

 

[Jaycey'smom]

We are getting DD's braces in a few weeks. Our insurance did not cover it at all. So it is all OOP for us. I am taking her to the same Ortho that did my braces and am very comfortable with him. However I would not pay the whole balance upfront. In fact, he did not even suggest that. We have to pay about $900 upfront. I would rather keep my money in a savings account to get a little interest back since I do not have to pay interest on the payment plan.

 

[Sandi]

Most licensed professionals don't just "go out of business." They may sell their business and the professional (doctor, dentist, etc.) taking over the business takes over the patients and the contracts as well. Nevertheless, I wouldn't completely pay for a service up front. Especially in a situation where your child will likely be receiving service for a considerable length of time.