EMIs are the cure

City docs offer easy payment options to help patients cope with economic slowdown

Patients, who have been putting off visits to doctors due to the economic downturn, now have reason to smile. City doctors are offering easy payment options to help patients tide the meltdown.u00a0

"If treating your teeth can cost more than a car, why not offer easy financial plans for the same?" said Dr Shantanu Jaradi, a Peddar Road dentist who, a month ago, tied up with a bank thatu00a0 offers personal loans to customers that can be repaid through EMIs.



One-stop-shop option
"Dental treatment is something that everyone wants, but the cost is a limiting factor. We offer a one-stop-shop option for patients so they don't have to individually seek out a loan. Their documents are submitted to us. The payments are made to the bank as per the plan they decide on," explained Jaradi, who only offers the scheme to clients who run a bill of over Rs 1 lakh. The payment schemeu00a0 attracted three takers last month.

Andheri resident Sharmila Sharma (29), who is correcting teeth gaps and having cavities filled at Jaradi's clinic, said, "Earlier, I couldn't afford treatment. But with a loan of Rs 1.1 lakh, I can easily pay it off in parts."

Some obesity clinics like Dr Rahul Nigam's at Andheri have tied up with credit card companies that let patients settle bills within six to 12 months at zero interest. "Only a processing cost of three per cent is charged. Till bariatric surgery is included in insurance schemes, this is the best we can offer customers."u00a0 Following the trend, a few infertility clinics are now offering three IVF cycles at discounted rates.

Counter point
However, not all doctors are convinced that such schemes work.

"Offering EMIs for procedures like IVF could lead to the patient defaulting, if the cycle turns negative. Some clinics offer discounts because of the recession. We don't," said infertility specialist Nandita Palshetkar.