Even though you may already have a dental plan {or if you happen to go over your allowable benefits because you need 3 new teeth this year!!}, there is still a simple way to save money. Ask for a cash discount.
My children’s dentist gives a 5% cash discount if you pay up front. I realize that is not always an option, but if you do have the ability to scrape together some cash, it just might save you a good chunk of change!
Simply ask your dentist if he’d be willing to give you a discount for paying in cash. Since you’ll be saving him money on credit card fees and he won’t have to pay someone to handle all the billing, I bet he might be willing to give some sort of discount. Paying in full at the time of service in cash might be something hard for him to turn down.
He might also say no, but it never hurts to ask. And if the answer is yes, you just saved yourself some money with one simple question. Not too shabby I say!
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Connie says
Excellent advice … and it can apply to LOTS of situations. For example – whenever we have a vehicle worked on at our local auto mechanic shop and we can pay cash, the owner is happy to give us a discount. Another perk of supporting locally owned/operated businesses. So don’t be shy … ASK!!! 🙂
Tammy says
Great idea! It doesn’t always have to be CASH either. When I had my daughter, the hospital gave me a discount on our payment of what the insurance didn’t cover, if I paid in full. I used a credit card (not our first choice of payment…).
Ramona says
Since I have never had dental insurance I have always found a dentist that gives cash discounts. When my son had to get braces the dentist had us on a monthly plan and didn’t charge interest.
jj says
5% is hardly worth the trouble.Maybe 20% or more would be worth going for.One major local hospital had on it’s website that they give 50% discount for non insured and extra discount for prompt payment.