OrthoFi vs PatientFi for healthcare financing

OrthoFi and PatientFi are both patient financing platforms, but they target different specialties and work very differently for the patient. Here is a direct comparison of how each handles orthodontic and dental treatment financing.

The high-level difference

OrthoFi is purpose-built for orthodontic practices and their patients, with insurance workflow, in-house financing, and the Open Choice slider all tightly integrated. PatientFi focuses on elective healthcare — plastic surgery, cosmetic dentistry, fertility — and operates more like a traditional lender partnering with providers at the point of sale.

Where OrthoFi has the edge

• Orthodontics-first design. Every feature in OrthoFi — from the slider to insurance workflow — is built around orthodontic treatment specifically. PatientFi is more general-purpose.
• In-house financing option. OrthoFi lets the practice carry the loan itself, which may help when a third-party lender would decline.
• Insurance verification handled. OrthoFi staff verify your orthodontic benefit and submit claims; PatientFi expects you to handle insurance separately.
• Flexible payment management. The OrthoFi patient portal gives you self-service control over the plan during the full treatment period, often two to three years.

Where PatientFi has the edge

• Larger loan amounts available. PatientFi lists approvals up to $60,000 for cosmetic dental, fertility, and aesthetic care, which helps when orthodontics is part of a larger treatment plan.
• Longer term options. Up to 84 months on larger loans, versus up to 60 months for AcceptCare lenders and 72 months for in-office plans.
• Direct patient path when offered. Patients can sometimes pre-qualify through PatientFi before the consultation; OrthoFi has no equivalent.
• Cross-specialty use. If you are financing orthodontic work alongside a cosmetic dental procedure or facial aesthetics, PatientFi can bundle them into one loan.

How PatientFi's 0% promotion works

PatientFi advertises zero-interest promotional plans for approved patients. According to its lending disclosures, if the balance is not paid off within the promotional period, the remaining balance is then amortized at the fixed APR in your loan agreement. That is gentler than CareCredit's model, which charges interest back to the original purchase date, but it still means the promotion only stays free if you finish on time. Read the promotional terms on your specific offer.

What PatientFi's published examples cost

PatientFi publishes representative examples on its lending-partner page. For a $10,000 loan over 84 months, it shows APRs from 6.99% to 32.99%, with monthly payments of about $151 to $306. At the low end, total repayment is roughly $12,700; at the high end, roughly $25,700. The spread shows how much your credit profile matters on long terms.

On the OrthoFi side, the comparable numbers depend on which path your practice uses: an AcceptCare lender offer (0% APR for 6 to 24 months if you qualify, with terms up to 60 months) or a practice-funded in-office plan (6 to 72 months at up to 18% APR).

Questions to ask before you choose

• Does my orthodontist offer OrthoFi, PatientFi, or both?
• Is the 0% offer true 0% APR, deferred interest, or a promotion that converts to a fixed APR?
• What APR applies after any promotion ends, and what is my total repayment?
• Is there an origination fee or a prepayment penalty?
• Does the approved amount cover the full treatment plan, including retainers?

When each one is likely the better fit

Pick OrthoFi when:

• Your orthodontist uses it — the Open Choice slider and insurance workflow are hard to beat
• Your treatment is pure orthodontics (braces, Invisalign, retainers)
• You want in-house financing as a credit-flexibility option
• Your financing need is a single orthodontic treatment plan

Pick PatientFi when:

• Your treatment combines orthodontics with cosmetic dentistry or other elective procedures
• You need a loan over $15,000
• You want a longer repayment term (up to 7 years)
• Your provider offers PatientFi but not OrthoFi

Pick a different option when:

• Your orthodontist offers neither — apply directly with Cherry, CareCredit, or a personal loan via our pre-qualification form
• You have strong credit and want the lowest fixed-rate option — a prime personal loan often beats both
• You can pay in full and your practice offers a pay-in-full discount — often the cheapest path

For a broader view of all orthodontic financing options, see our financing alternatives guide.

Frequently asked questions