Finance and valuation
In-house membership plan
An in-house membership plan is a practice's own plan for patients without insurance, who pay a monthly or yearly fee in return for set services or discounts.
The ADA describes an in-office dental plan this way: the patient pays the doctor or dental office a fixed amount of money on a monthly or annual basis and in return generally receives set benefits. Such a plan is not insurance and is run by the practice. The ADA offers a toolkit to help dentists decide whether to start one, and it notes that research shows patients with a benefit plan are more likely to seek dental care and accept treatment plans. Rules for these plans vary by state, so owners should ask an attorney before launching. The fee level links to the practice's fee schedule.