Q: What are provider payment plans?

How provider payment plans work

A:Provider payment plans are installment plans for treatment, and in 2026 the ones carried by a financing company such as Cherry have terms from 1 to 60 months.¹ A practice that runs its own plan can also use billing software such as Cedar Pay as an alternative, which offers Auto-Pay and Promise-to-Pay plans. Its customizable guardrails, including minimum and maximum amounts and durations, let the practice decide the terms of patients' installments and, in turn, how far they can stretch.²

With a financing company such as Cherry, the practice is paid within 2-3 business days and Cherry handles repayment, so the practice can focus on care and other operational needs. In 2026, Cherry lists financing at an APR of 0% to 35.99%, with terms of 1 to 60 months and amounts of $35 to $65,000. Eligibility depends on factors including financial history, credit score, monthly income, and monthly expenses, so not every patient qualifies for Cherry financing.¹

On our reading, the choice between the two models decides who carries the risk of patients who stop paying and who waits for the cash. For more about what in-house plans cost a practice, see our in‑house payment plans.