In 2007, the American Society of Plastic Surgeons reported an average breast enlargement cost of $3,816. This price is a nationwide average in the United States and does not include things like anesthesia, lab fees, operating room facility costs or prescriptions.
Using Cash to Pay for Breast Implants
The most affordable breast augmentation surgery will generally be those that are paid up front with cash. Using cash from accumulated savings, checking or money market accounts, or from lump sum payments like tax returns, make it easy to pay for breast implants. Some plastic surgeons will even give a discount to patients who are paying for surgery with cash. Even if it’s not being advertised, it’s okay to ask. However, many people don’t want to wait to save up the thousands of dollars required for breast implant surgery and will utilize some of the other payment options available.
Buying Breast Implants on Credit
Typically surgeons will accept payment on any major credit card, especially VISA or Mastercard. This is a convenient way to pay and isn’t actually a bad option if the credit card has a low interest rate and the patient makes credit card payments on time each month. One way to minimize the costs of paying for breast augmentation surgery on credit is by paying for some of the procedure with cash and using a credit card for the remaining balance. This can help to reduce the overall costs that may arise in the future from interest charges. Those who do not have a credit card, or who do not want to charge up any available credit cards, have another option and that is healthcare patient financing.
Healthcare Patient Financing
There are some companies that offer financing just for cosmetic procedures, such as getting breast enlargements. Some of these programs even have special offers at times including no interest for 12 to 18 months if the balance is paid in full by that time. Two of the more popular patient financing companies are Care Credit and Health One Financial. Before applying for financing with any healthcare company, it’s important to make sure the surgeon that will be performing the procedure accepts it. Not all facilities accept financing through every financing company.
The price of breast implants will vary depending on a number of different factors including the surgeon’s past experience and current demand, geographical location, type of breast implant and the time and effort needed for each individual procedure.
Sources:
PlasticSurgery.org: “2007 Average Surgeon/Physician Fees” (assessed March 9, 2010)
LoveYourLook.com: “Breast Augmentation Cost & Payment” (assessed March 9, 2010)
Melinda Friedland - Melinda Friedland was recently married in the summer of 2009 and has 4 young children so she knows what it's like to be busy. She has been ...
