Care Credit

This topic contains 12 replies, has 2 voices, and was last updated by Carl Nottoli, DC October 10, 2018 at 3:56 pm.

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August 23, 2018 at 9:46 am #4952
Scott Glidden
Participant
I’ve got a new patient who uses Care Credit for other providers and was wondering if I offer it. On a brief overview it seems like a practical way to allow someone with limited resources to get care, but then I’d have to wait to get paid. At this point in my career I think it would be beneficial but eventually I would drop it down the road. Does anybody have any experience with Care Credit using it or providing it for patients?
August 27, 2018 at 4:15 pm #4954
Matthew Ellerbrock
It looks like it works the same as a credit card right? My credit card merchant account funds the next day and charges about 2.5%. I think Care Credit might be a nice option for Case Fee practices.

I have not used it full disclosure but I do accept credit cards and it seems to be a similar process.
August 27, 2018 at 6:34 pm #4955
Brandon Cohen DC, CSCS
Participant
I haven’t used it either, but think someone out in the ID sphere has. Can’t remember who to call out though.
August 27, 2018 at 9:42 pm #4956
Eric Lambert, DC
Participant
I think Carl might still take Care Credit, you might ask him. I have never taken it, but I do take credit cards and unfortunately, take a nice hit on processing those monthly. But I’ll admit that it is nice having the money in two days instead of waiting on an insurance company for 6 weeks or more.
August 28, 2018 at 3:27 am #4957
Anonymous
We use care credit about 25 percent of the time for case fee, the fees can be pretty high depending on the interest period they chose, for example yesterday we closed a case at 3500, but the interest fee for us was 9 percent for the patient choosing a year of payback. It does help in the case fee world.
August 28, 2018 at 10:36 am #4958
Scott Glidden
Participant
Thanks for the input. I think I’ll try it out and since the goal is to go case fee eventually I might just hold onto it.
August 28, 2018 at 12:10 pm #4959
Carl Nottoli, DC
Participant
It wouldn’t make any sense to use it outside of case fee. If patients aren’t willing to pay $50-$80 per treatment then you need to focus on getting better at treatment and communication. This comment is not meant to be an attack on where you are professionally, but rather an objective observation from someone that has been there.
August 28, 2018 at 3:55 pm #4960
Scott Glidden
Participant
I appreciate the input Carl. The only patient I have in mind is a college student who was previously an olympic hopeful in speed skating. I felt bad because she could certainly use the care but doesn’t have the money for it and has failed with 5 other providers. Any suggestions on how to approach that situation?
August 29, 2018 at 7:18 am #4961
Carl Nottoli, DC
Participant
You’re not her dad or her accountant.

If she has failed with 5 other providers she can’t afford to not get care with you. In my experience, every time in the past I have been overly generous by giving away treatment or discounting it, it has never proved to be fruitful. In most cases, the people do the exact opposite of what is fair and reasonable…leaving me angry and resentful for a short time.

These feelings passed, but I guard my expectations now and do not put myself in these situations anymore.

Would she try to bargain her health with other health care providers? What if she needed surgery?
August 29, 2018 at 1:16 pm #4962
Brandon Cohen DC, CSCS
Participant
What Carl said. You want to be helpful. This is good, but not the right place to do it. Every single time I’ve made financial accommodations for people it has been bad. Every time. Generally, people who are asking for a discount are terrible humans. Terrible. Sometimes you will get people who ask just because they want to feel like they are getting a better value, and will have no issue paying.

There are legitimate financial burdens on people. I would rather make an exception and give away a number of treatments than play the discount game. I have a guy coming in today who asked for a discount due to his “loyalty” over the past 10 years and referring patients to the office. He has had 21 visits for 3 separate issues over 7 years, regularly showed up late (like an hour late, late) and expected us to “fit him in,” self discharged, non-compliant on exercises, AND upset when we said, “I’m sorry, we don’t do discounts.” No thank you.
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