Orthodontic Treatment Contracts Explained – Lump Sum Contracts
In this edition of the Friday Focus, your Phoenix Orthodontist, Dr. O El-Hillal of E&S Orthodontics, discusses the importance of Orthodontic Treatment Contracts. He explains the different aspects of a contract for treatment and how lump sum contracts work.
One of the main reasons I felt compelled to make this video is that we have a lot of people come to E&S Orthodontics for second or third opinions. When doing so, they almost always bring their contracts from other orthodontic practices for comparison.
So, what actually goes into an orthodontic contract? There are multiple ways different offices can structure orthodontic contracts. One of the most popular is the “lump sum” or “set fee” orthodontic contract, which is based on overall results.
A lump sum contract includes all of the treatments, services and products that actually go into an orthodontic care plan, such as diagnostic records, the cost of braces, the cost of appliances, and all office visits during what we call the active phase of treatment.
Then, there is the passive phase of treatment, which is when you get your braces removed and receive your retainers.
Those two components make up a typical orthodontic contract. The active phase, which typically runs from 12-24 months, is during which you are coming in regularly for adjustments, and your teeth are being actively moved. Then there is the passive phase, which also typically runs from 12 months of retention and observation when your teeth have been moved to the desired position and your new bite is being retained.
The contract should also outline anything which the lump sum does not cover, such as excessively broken brackets, broken appointments, lost or broken appliances, the extension of treatment time due to poor patient cooperation or failure to follow instructions, or unpredictable growth complications that would require extended treatment.
Hopefully, this will give you insight into what to expect from a Lump Sum Orthodontic Contract. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact our office.
