The AAO is delaying membership invoices until early August and offering a one-time discount and new 9-month installment plan option to help members as they deal with the financial impact of office closures.
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) announced a number of changes to its 2020-2021 Membership Renewal period. These changes are aimed at helping provide members with financial flexibility during the COVID-19 pandemic and to allow them to focus their resources on their practices, teams, and patients.
Instead of issuing membership dues invoices in late May/early June as usual, invoices are now being delayed approximately 2 months until early August. However, members who wish to renew earlier can do so at anytime. The AAO membership year still runs from June 1 through May 31.
In addition, the association announced that during its virtual meeting on May 1, the AAO House of Delegates decided that dues rates will remain unchanged for 2020-2021—$793 for full dues, while the consumer marketing fund (assessment) will decrease from $800 to $300. This reportedly translates to a savings of $500 for full-dues paying U.S. members.
The AAO also is offering members who pay their invoices using ACH (electronic bank account transfer) in lieu of credit card or check an additional, one-time 3% discount on their AAO membership dues and consumer marketing fund. Full-dues paying members will see a savings of $32.79.
Moreover, the association has introduced a new 9-month payment plan option, for those who start their installments in August. Prior to this, the AAO offered 3- and 6-month installment plan options.
