Cost shouldn’t be the thing that keeps you from taking care of your teeth — and it shouldn’t be a surprise you discover at the front desk on your way out.
We review costs with you before treatment begins. You’ll know what your insurance is expected to cover, what your portion is likely to be, and what your options are if the balance is more than you can handle at once. If a treatment plan needs to be sequenced over time to fit your budget, we’ll help you sequence it.
Dental Insurance
We work with most major dental insurance plans and will file your claims for you.
Before your appointment, our team verifies your benefits so we can give you an accurate estimate rather than a guess. Dental insurance is genuinely confusing — annual maximums, waiting periods, frequency limitations, downgrade clauses — and most patients have never had it explained. We’re happy to walk you through what your plan actually covers.
Not sure whether we take your insurance? Call us at 504-341-3120 with your plan information and we’ll tell you.
Making the Most of Your Benefits
A few things worth knowing:
Most plans reset each year. Unused annual benefits typically don’t carry forward. If you have treatment you’ve been putting off and benefits remaining, the end of the year is worth paying attention to.
Preventive care is usually covered at the highest level. Many plans cover cleanings and exams at or near 100%. Staying current on preventive visits is both the healthiest and the least expensive way to use your coverage.
Larger treatment can often be sequenced across benefit years. If a plan spans two calendar years, it may be possible to use two annual maximums instead of one. We’ll look at this with you when it applies.
CareCredit
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card that lets you pay for treatment over time, with interest-free options available on qualifying balances within a promotional period.
Applying takes a few minutes and can be done online or at our office, and you’ll know whether you’re approved right away.
Cherry is a patient financing option offering monthly payment plans, with a quick application process and no hard credit check to see whether you qualify.
Cherry tends to work well for patients who want a straightforward monthly payment without applying for a credit card. You can check your eligibility in about a minute.
Beyond CareCredit and Cherry, we’re able to arrange payment plans directly for certain treatment, including Invisalign®. If financing isn’t the right fit for your situation, ask us — we’d rather find a workable arrangement than have you go without care you need.
Payment Methods
We accept cash, checks, and major credit cards, along with CareCredit and Cherry financing. Payment is due at the time of service unless other arrangements have been made in advance.
Why Choose Barataria Dental?
Costs reviewed before treatment, not after
Benefits verified in advance so your estimate is accurate
Insurance claims filed for you
Two financing options — CareCredit and Cherry
Payment plans available for certain treatment, including Invisalign®
Treatment sequenced to fit your budget when a full plan isn’t feasible at once
A team that will explain your coverage rather than hand you a statement
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you take my insurance?
We work with most major dental plans. Call us at 504-341-3120 with your plan details and we’ll confirm and verify your benefits before your visit.
What if I don’t have dental insurance?
You’re still welcome here, and plenty of our patients are in the same position. We’ll give you clear pricing up front, and CareCredit and Cherry both offer monthly payment options.
Will you tell me what treatment costs before you do it?
Yes, always. You’ll receive an estimate that reflects your insurance coverage before any treatment is scheduled.
What’s the difference between CareCredit and Cherry?
CareCredit is a healthcare credit card with interest-free promotional periods on qualifying balances. Cherry offers monthly payment plans with a fast application and no hard credit check to check eligibility. Either can work well — our team can help you decide.
Can I split my treatment across two years to use more of my benefits?
Sometimes, depending on your plan and the urgency of the treatment. It’s a strategy we look at with patients whenever it makes clinical sense.
When is payment due?
At the time of service, unless you’ve arranged financing or a payment plan with us in advance.
Questions about cost or coverage?
Call 504-341-3120. We’ll verify your benefits and give you real numbers before you commit to anything.
