The tool enables actionable plans and transparent timelines for orthodontic treatment financing and payment options
Benevis, a leading dental support organization (DSO) for practices focused on dental care and orthodontics, has rolled out an Ortho calculator to give patients, families, and caregivers a visual tool to understand potential payment or financing options better. The offering ensures cost transparency and clearly articulates customized payment plan timelines. The ortho calculator will be featured across all 20 of their affiliated dental brand’s websites to serve their community members better.
The cost of dental care is often out of reach for many Americans. Orthodontic procedures for cosmetic or oral health purposes, like braces, can cost on average, around $5,500, according to the American Dental Association's 2020 Survey of Dental Fees. On top of that, many families across the country cannot afford to pay for out-of-pocket dental care. This is due to a lack of private or public dental insurance or social determinants of health (SDoH) related issues such as being unable to get time off from work to receive oral treatment.
“The cost of braces has risen significantly in the last decade. Our ortho calculator will help parents understand the financial aspect of getting their child the orthodontic care they need,” said Carl Helton, ortho program director at Benevis. “Whether the patient has insurance, is covered under Medicaid, or is paying out-of-pocket, the ortho calculator will help patients and families understand the terms of their payment plan.”
Benevis' ortho calculator was designed to provide pricing transparency and payment options to help break down barriers to dental care. The tool simplifies selecting a potential payment plan term based on what works best for everyone. Families are then enabled to better plan for orthodontic procedures and arrange for care with their dental homes when the time is right.
"Benevis has proudly worked to establish routine dental care, treatment plans, and dental homes for approximately five million children in underserved communities, with 82% of our youth patients currently on Medicaid or Children's Health Insurance Programs (CHIP). As part of that process, we're pleased to further our support for families by offering a tool that can assist with their financial budgeting," explains Dr. Dale Mayfield, DMD, chief dental officer of Benevis. "By helping to create payment term transparency for orthodontic care, we can ensure patients feel confident about their oral healthcare journeys and that unexpected fees will not burden them."
All Benevis financing options are factored based on the total cost of treatment, insurance coverage including Medicare and CHIP, Flexible Spending Account or Health Spending Account contributions, down payments, and the length of treatment. The ortho calculator payment tool is provided to estimate a potential monthly cost of orthodontic treatment and is offered to the user "as-is." Interest rates may apply depending on the payment terms and qualifying financing options. Families are encouraged to schedule a consultation with a board-certified orthodontist for actual treatment costs.
