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Investing in your smile is one of the most rewarding decisions you can make for your confidence and overall well-being, but concerns about payment options shouldn't stand in the way of exceptional dental care. At Tanglewood Dental Associates in Houston, we understand that even our most successful patients value flexible financing choices that complement their financial planning strategies.
While many of our patients choose to pay upfront for their treatments, we've thoughtfully designed multiple payment solutions to ensure that premium dental care remains accessible to everyone. From our streamlined in-house payment plans with automatic processing to carefully selected third-party financing options, we've created a comprehensive approach that puts your comfort and convenience first.
What distinguishes our payment philosophy is our unwavering commitment to transparency and flexibility. As an out-of-network practice, we're able to offer clear, upfront pricing without the complications of insurance write-offs, while still helping you maximize your benefits. Whether you're considering a simple filling or a complete smile transformation, you'll discover payment options that work seamlessly with your lifestyle and budget.
Let's explore how our patient-centered approach to financing can help you achieve the smile you've always wanted, without financial stress.
When it comes to making dental care affordable, sometimes the best solutions are the most straightforward ones. At Tanglewood Dental Associates, our in-house payment plans are designed with your convenience in mind, offering a perfect balance of structure and flexibility.
Our most popular payment arrangement follows a simple yet effective model. As Alice, our experienced office manager, explains: "For Ortho, we normally take half down, and then the remaining balance we break up into 6 months. Monthly payments." This approach works particularly well because it reduces your initial financial commitment while establishing a manageable payment timeline.
Here's how it works in practice:
The beauty of this system lies in its predictability. You'll know exactly when payments will be processed, eliminating the stress of remembering due dates or worrying about late fees.
While our standard six-month plan works for most patients, we understand that everyone's financial situation is different. Alice mentions that they've accommodated longer payment terms when needed: "I don't think Dr. Lawnin has a problem with it, as long, you know, we're running that monthly."
With Kelsey now overseeing payment plan coordination, we're expanding our flexibility even further. "I think she's gonna be doing things a little differently," Alice shared. "There will be more payment plans offered to those that will need it."
This personalized approach ensures that exceptional dental care remains accessible, regardless of your specific financial circumstances.
For more extensive treatments or when you prefer extended payment terms, we've carefully selected third-party financing partners that align with our commitment to exceptional patient care and value.
Dr. Lawnin has a clear preference when it comes to third-party financing options, and for good reason. "He prefers that over care credit," Alice explains, referring to Cherry financing. This preference stems from practical considerations that benefit both our practice and our patients.
Cherry financing offers several distinct advantages:
Cherry works particularly well for our comprehensive smile makeover cases and larger treatment plans. As Alice notes, "We're gonna start using that more with these bigger cases."
While Cherry is our preferred partner, we also work with CareCredit for patients who prefer this option. However, there are important considerations to keep in mind.
"The most we would do with care credit is 12 months," Alice explains, highlighting one of the limitations.
The key to selecting the best financing option lies in understanding your specific treatment needs and financial preferences. Here's how to approach this decision:
For larger treatment plans (smile makeovers, multiple procedures): Cherry financing typically offers the most favorable terms and flexibility.
For smaller procedures (individual crowns, fillings): Our in-house payment plans or CareCredit might be more appropriate.
For immediate needs: Both Cherry and CareCredit offer quick approval processes, though Cherry's terms are generally more favorable.
One of the most common questions we receive is about insurance coverage, and understanding our out-of-network status is crucial to appreciating the value and flexibility we can offer.
Alice puts it simply: "We're not contracted with any insurance plans, but we do accept policies that pay out of network." This distinction is more important than it might initially seem, and it directly impacts the quality of care we can provide.
When dental practices sign contracts with insurance companies, they agree to accept reduced fees in exchange for "in-network" status. As Alice explains, "Your fee may be a hundred dollars, but because you're contracted, they're only going to pay a hundred percent of $50. So you have to write off that other 50."
By remaining out-of-network, we can:
This reduction in insurance payments has actually strengthened our conviction about remaining out-of-network. When insurance companies pay such minimal amounts, the pressure on in-network providers to find revenue elsewhere can compromise care quality.
Alice has observed an interesting pattern with patients who try in-network alternatives: "We've had patients try to go in network, and they return to us because the quality isn't always the best."
The reason is straightforward. When providers receive severely reduced payments, they often need to:
As Alice notes, "We get a lot of patients that come back to us. They've been diagnosed and they have these long treatment plans, and they're like trying to find any and everything that they can... even if something may not really be needed."
While we're out-of-network/non-contracted, we make the insurance process as seamless as possible. Alice confirms, "We submit, I would say, 90... probably 98, 99% of" insurance claims. "We submit all of them."
Here's how we help you maximize your benefits:
The out-of-network difference means you're investing in quality care that prioritizes your long-term oral health over short-term cost savings.
Beyond traditional payment plans and financing, we offer several convenient payment options that align with modern financial planning and healthcare spending strategies.
Health Savings Accounts (HSA) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) represent excellent opportunities to pay for dental care with pre-tax dollars, effectively giving you an immediate discount on your treatment costs.
Alice clarifies the key distinction: "HSA accounts... they do not expire. Any unused funds in your HSA rollover. The FSA is, you lose it if you don't use it." This difference can significantly impact your financial planning strategy.
The general rule for both HSA and FSA usage is that treatments must be medically necessary. As Alice explains, "Cosmetic procedures are generally not covered... plastic surgery, Botox, teeth whitening. If you're getting veneers just for cosmetic reasons, that's not covered."
However, most dental treatments qualify because they address health issues:
One significant advantage is that you can use both insurance and HSA/FSA funds for the same procedure. "Yes, ma'am, because usually patients pay their estimated charges with an HSA card," Alice confirms. This means you can maximize your healthcare dollars by using insurance for partial coverage and HSA/FSA funds for your remaining responsibility.
We've embraced modern payment processing to make your experience as convenient as possible. Alice notes, "We accept American express, visa, mastercard, discover," covering all major credit card networks.
Our payment options include:
This electronic approach streamlines the payment process and gives you flexibility in how and when you handle your dental care expenses.
With Kelsey implementing new payment plan options and our continued refinement of financing partnerships, we're constantly evolving our approach to meet changing patient needs. The goal remains constant: ensuring that financial considerations never compromise your access to exceptional dental care.
Whether you're planning a simple cleaning or considering a complete smile transformation, we'll work with you to create a payment solution that makes your oral health goals achievable and stress-free.
Your smile is an investment in your confidence, health, and quality of life. Our payment options are designed to make that investment as comfortable and manageable as possible, because exceptional dental care should be accessible to everyone who values it.
Navigating dental care financing doesn't have to be complicated when you have the right partner. We've explored how Tanglewood Dental Associates offers multiple pathways to make premium dental care accessible: our streamlined in-house payment plans with impressive success rates, our preferred Cherry financing for larger treatments, and strategies for maximizing your HSA and FSA benefits for tax-advantaged healthcare spending.
The key insight throughout all these options is our unwavering commitment to transparency and flexibility. By remaining out-of-network, we can focus on delivering exceptional care without the constraints and compromises that insurance contracts often impose. This approach ensures that your investment in your oral health delivers the quality and results you deserve.
Ready to explore your options? Book an appointment online or contact our Houston office at 713-784-2952 to schedule your consultation. During your visit, we'll discuss not only your dental health goals but also the payment approach that works best for your situation. Your journey to exceptional oral health and renewed confidence starts with a simple conversation—and we're here to make every step, including the financial aspects, as comfortable as possible.
Clear, honest answers to the dental questions you’ve been wondering about, because understanding your care shouldn’t be complicated.
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