The OrthoFi Open Choice payment slider explained

Open Choice is the single most visible feature of OrthoFi and AcceptCare. Here is how the payment slider works, what it actually does to the numbers, and why orthodontic practices report higher case acceptance when they use it.

What Open Choice is

Open Choice is OrthoFi's payment presentation technology. During your orthodontic consultation, the financial coordinator opens a tablet with the slider on screen. Instead of being handed one take-it-or-leave-it quote, you adjust two sliders — down payment and monthly amount — and watch the plan recalculate in real time.

The slider works within boundaries the practice sets. The maximum term, minimum down payment, and acceptable monthly range are all pre-configured. Within those limits, you shape the plan to fit your actual budget.

How Open Choice changes the numbers

Say your orthodontist quotes you $6,500 for comprehensive orthodontic treatment. A traditional practice presents one option: $1,000 down, $230/mo for 24 months. The Open Choice slider lets you move either variable:

Illustrative, assuming a 0% in-house plan. Actual rates and ranges depend on your practice's configuration.

Why practices use Open Choice

OrthoFi reports 18% higher conversion rates for pending patients at practices using its tools, and Orthotown's product profile says the open-choice slider increases same-day contracts. The idea is simple: patients who can shape the plan themselves are more likely to find one that fits.

The slider also shortens the money conversation. Without it, the coordinator has to work through scenarios by hand. With the slider, the patient explores the options directly.

Where Open Choice has limits

• You cannot exceed practice-set boundaries. If the practice caps the term at 24 months, the slider will not let you set 36 months even if you would prefer the lower monthly amount.
• APR is set by the practice, not the slider. You cannot shop rate within Open Choice; only the structure of the plan changes.
• Total interest may not be obvious. On interest-bearing plans, the slider shows the monthly payment but may not clearly show total interest paid at each configuration. Ask for the full disclosure.
• Does not work remotely. Open Choice is designed for in-office consultation, not online pre-qualification. Patients cannot access it on their own.

How to get the most out of Open Choice

1. Know your maximum down payment before the consultation. Figure out what you can realistically put down without draining your emergency fund.
2. Know your maximum comfortable monthly amount. Not what you could afford in theory — what you would actually pay without stress.
3. Start the slider at the highest down payment you can afford. This minimizes interest paid over the term.
4. Compare the shortest term you can afford to the default. Even one year shorter can save hundreds in interest.
5. Ask the coordinator to show total interest at each configuration you are considering. Monthly payment alone can hide significant total cost differences.
6. Compare the final slider plan against an outside offer. Pre-qualify with Cherry, a personal loan, or our pre-qualification form before the consultation. Bring the alternate quote and ask the practice to meet or beat it.

Open Choice vs traditional presentation

If your orthodontist does not use OrthoFi's Open Choice, you can still negotiate the plan structure manually. Ask the financial coordinator these questions:

• What is the minimum down payment you accept?
• What is the longest term you offer?
• How does the monthly change if I put down an extra $500?
• What APR am I being charged?
• What is the total cost at the current configuration vs a shorter term?

You can get most of the Open Choice benefit through good questions and a calculator, even without the tablet interface. Our payment calculator replicates the core math.

Frequently asked questions