Ask Dr. Elliott: What to Know About Plastic Surgery Financing

While not necessarily the number one concern, cost is understandably a major point of discussion for many prospective plastic surgery patients. Especially now with the uncertain state of the economy. It’s a fact that cosmetic procedures are almost always considered “elective” in nature, which means that plastic surgery costs will almost certainly not be covered by health insurance providers. However, that doesn’t mean that there aren’t things patients can do to minimize their financial burden. Today I wanted to answer some common questions about plastic surgery financing and how it can help patients who are concerned about paying for their procedure.

Question #1: How does plastic surgery financing work?

At my office, we offer financing options through CareCredit®. CareCredit® is essentially a credit card that works exclusively for medical expenses, including plastic surgery. Once a patient is approved to use CareCredit®, they will be able to take advantage of 0% interest loans, as long as their payments are made during the pre-agreed payment period. This way, patients can spread their payments out over multiple weeks, months, or even years depending on which payment plan fits best within their needs and not be penalized for it.

Question #2: What procedures can be financed using CareCredit®?

As long as the patient has been pre-approved to finance their procedure, my full selection of cosmetic surgery procedures and non-surgical cosmetic treatments can be paid for using financing. This includes body contouring procedures like breast augmentation, mommy makeover, and liposuction, facial procedures like a facelift and rhinoplasty, and cosmetic injectable treatments like Botox®.

Question #3: How can I know if I am eligible to use CareCredit®?

Like any other credit card, patients will need to apply for CareCredit® financing before their procedure to confirm that they will be approved to use this service. The first step for any patient interested will be to go to the CareCredit® website and apply to see if they prequalify for approval.

I know how important costs can be, which is why I always do my best to work with my patients and reassure them about any concerns they may have going into their procedure, including those pertaining to finances. For more information or to schedule a plastic surgery consultation, contact me, Dr. Franklyn Elliott. You can also follow along with me on Facebook for additional plastic surgery tips, news, and much more.