What Information You Need for Sliding Scale Dental Clinics

When you have a costly dental issue, like broken or missing teeth or abscesses, you may be concerned about how you will pay for the procedure. One method is to go with a sliding scale dental clinic. These clinics are based less on insurance coverage and more on the ability of the patient to pay. The sliding scale is usually based on income level. The problem is, you may not know what you will need to bring with you to be approved and to get the dental care you need. Here are a few pieces of information to bring with you that will help.

Bank Information

If you have a steady paying job, are a student with a part-time income, or a freelancer, then you likely have some form of bank information that shows your income. This information should show your income for at least the last two months. This will show a steady income and give the clinic accountants something to go by to figure out the average you make each week or month.

If you want, you can block out certain things on your bank account, like private spending or private account information. If you don't have bank information, you can bring in check stubs or proof of payment for your work. If you are unemployed, you need to let them know that and for how long you have been unemployed.

Insurance Coverage

If you have any type of insurance coverage, you will need to bring that with you. This allows the clinic to double check that you don't have dental coverage and that you only have medical coverage. This helps them determine if any insurance payments or coverage will be going towards the payment for the services you need from the dental or emergency dental clinic. Your insurance card or number will also work for most clinics. They just need something to check and reference.

Method of Payment

You will likely be expected to make some form of payment for your services, even if you are unemployed. During the process of configuring where you fall on the sliding scale of payments with the dental clinic, you will be asked how much you can pay and how you expect to pay your bill. Make sure you have something in mind that can show you have the ability to pay at least something. Also, make sure you have a method of payment with you to pay the initial fee, which can range depending on where you fall on the sliding scale.

There are not many clinics that still practice the sliding scale of payment. Most offer either financing or some other form of payment option. If you feel that you need full assistance, you can ask for a referral to a free clinic or university clinic option. For more information on your payment options for dental services, contact a clinic like Dental Smile Clinic.