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Plastic Surgery Financing: What are Your Options?

Cosmetic surgery procedures allow us to overcome imperfections that would otherwise be hard to beat with lifestyle interventions. For instance, individuals who struggle with stubborn pockets of fat in different parts of the body can get them removed by simply having a minimally invasive liposuction procedure. However, it is important to note that cosmetic surgery is considered to be elective surgery. This means that health insurers will typically not pay for these procedures and patients need to foot the costs out-of-pocket. If you are preparing to have cosmetic surgery in The Woodlands or surrounding Texas areas, this article highlights 5 financing options that you could use to pay for the treatment. 

  • Plastic surgeon payment plans

Some plastic surgeons offer payment plans that allow you to have the surgery and then cover the cost of the treatment in small installments. Often, there is no interest included in the final amount that you end up paying for the procedure. This option is advantageous because it allows you to break down the costs of your surgery while avoiding interest rates that are typical with other lending arrangements. On the flip side, keep in mind that your bill may be forwarded to a debt collector if you fail to pay. Furthermore, most surgeons prefer to not get involved in the financing aspects of cosmetic surgery and thus do not offer this in-house option. 

  • Medical Credit Cards 

Medical credit cards are third-party providers that offer promotional financing in exchange for an Annual Percentage Rate (APR). These partner with plastic surgeons’ offices to help patients access financing for the treatment they need. A good example of a medical credit card is CareCredit. Keep in mind that while these providers allow you to break down the cost of your cosmetic surgery, they sometimes have very high APRs. Furthermore, you may be required to pay late fees or deferred interest if you do not follow the initially agreed-upon payment plan. 

  • 0% APR Credit Cards 

Many plastic surgeons will allow you to charge the cost of your treatment to your credit card. A challenge is that credit cards are known for their insanely high-interest rates. One good way to overcome this issue is to use a card that provides an introductory offer of 0% APR. These are often reserved for individuals with a good credit score and run for up to 21 months. If you are qualified, you may be able to pay for your cosmetic surgery without having to incur any interest (at least for a limited time). 

  • Get a Personal Loan 

Fixed-rate personal loans – sometimes referred to as unsecured personal loans – are another option that you can use to offset the costs of your cosmetic surgery. These lumpsum loans can range from 1,000 USD to 50,000 USD and often carry a fixed Annual Percentage Rate (APR) as well as monthly installments. Individuals who have a good credit history may be able to obtain these loans at a lower APR compared to what a credit card offers. A key advantage of this approach is that you are able to segment the cost of your treatment and spread it out over time. On the flip side, you have to incur interest payments and APRs could be quite high. 

  • Save in Advance

Obtaining money from lenders comes at a price. For this reason, some patients will choose to save up on their finances as soon as they make the decision to move forward with cosmetic surgery. This is an excellent way to pay for the procedure from out of pocket but without having to deal with interest rate. A good way to do this is to come up with a savings plan that allows you to contribute monthly installments from your income to reach a certain lump sum that is equivalent to the cost of the surgery. This allows you to pay for your treatment without having to worry about financial consequences. However, keep in mind that this option may not be ideal for individuals who need treatment a bit more urgently. 

Conclusion 

When it comes to paying for cosmetic surgery, different options work for different people. Whatever is most convenient for you should do it. It is important that you know how much you need to pay for the surgery so you can make appropriate arrangements. Dr. Wu’s office will be willing to provide an individualized cost breakdown for your treatment after you attend an initial consultation visit with the surgeon.