How we get these prices
Every price in a Care Anytime cost guide comes from a published source that we read ourselves, and every figure carries a numbered link to that source in the Sources list at the bottom of the page. If we cannot confirm a number on the source page, we leave it out.
Where the prices come from
- Fee surveys and claims data: national averages built from what many providers charge, such as the American Dental Association survey of dental fees as reported by Pearl and ValuePenguin, and cost studies such as the CareCredit procedure cost study.
- Posted price lists: fee schedules published by dental schools, clinics, animal shelters, labs and retail clinics, which show what one provider charges.
- Manufacturer and pharmacy self-pay prices: cash prices that drug makers, pharmacies and telehealth services post for people paying without insurance.
- Government sources: pages from agencies such as Medicare.gov, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, for coverage rules and drug facts.
- Insurer and cost guide publishers: published price guides from insurers, pet insurers and cost research sites, used to show typical ranges and what coverage pays.
How we show prices that disagree
Sources often give different numbers for the same procedure, because they measure different things: a national average, one city's prices, or one provider's fee. When two sources disagree, the guide shows both figures and says which source each one comes from, rather than picking one or averaging them.
What the numbers mean
Prices are national ranges and averages. Your price depends on your provider, your location and your case, and it can be higher or lower than the range shown. Confirm the cost with your provider before treatment, and ask for a written estimate that lists every fee.
How often we update
Each guide shows the date it was last updated, and each source shows the date we read it. When a source publishes new figures or a price changes, we update the guide and its date. Drug prices change most often, so check the manufacturer or pharmacy page linked in the guide before you buy.
What the guides are not
The guides are general price information, not medical, dental or veterinary advice, and not a quote. Talk with your clinician or vet about which treatment is right for you. Care Anytime sells a discount membership that is not insurance; see about Care Anytime for who runs this site and how it makes money.