One of the first things people think about when they think about getting braces is if their insurance will pay for them. We can help you understand how orthodontic coverage works and what to expect but the answer is different for everyone. We make it easy for our Parkland patients to check their benefits at Marrecau Orthodontics so you know exactly how much your insurance will cover before you start treatment.
Most dental insurance plans that cover orthodontic work will cover Invisalign the same way they cover regular braces. It’s important to know this because many people think insurance only pays for metal braces or that clear aligners are just for looks. As long as the orthodontic treatment is medically necessary to fix your bite or alignment problems, insurance companies treat all of them the same.
Most orthodontic plans pay about half of the total cost of treatment up to a lifetime maximum. That lifetime maximum is usually between $1,000 and $3,000 but some plans are really generous and offer more. If your treatment is $5,000 and your plan pays 50% of that up to a limit of $2,000, your insurance would pay $2,000 and you would have to pay the other $3,000. The lifetime maximum is the most important statistic because even if your plan pays 50% they won’t pay more than that.
The phrase “lifetime maximum” is important because most plans only allow you to earn orthodontic benefits once in your life. If you had braces as a teen and used your orthodontic benefit then, you probably won’t be eligible for Invisalign as an adult. Some patients are shocked by this limit especially if it’s been a long time since their last treatment. Unfortunately most insurance plans don’t let you reset or renew the benefit over time.
Some dental insurance plans don’t cover orthodontics. A lot of basic plans only cover preventative care like cleanings and exams as well as some restorative procedures like crowns and fillings. You won’t be able to get Invisalign or braces with this plan. You can find out if your plan includes orthodontic benefits by reading the papers or calling your insurance carrier directly.
Another common restriction is that people of a certain age can’t do something. Most insurance policies only cover orthodontics for those under a certain age, usually 18 or 19. This means that even if your plan covers orthodontic work, it might not cover work on adults. Some employer-sponsored plans include adults’ braces but it’s not as common as coverage for kids and teens.
To make things as easy as possible for you, we take care of all the insurance verification and filing at our Parkland office. We call your insurance provider during your session to check your coverage and find out what they’ll pay for. This way you’ll know exactly how much you’ll have to pay out of pocket before you start treatment. We take care of all of your claims and talk to your insurance carrier directly while you’re in treatment. Surgical orthodontics, also called orthognathic surgery, corrects severe jaw or bite issues that braces alone cannot fix. This treatment enhances both function and appearance, creating long-term improvements in your smile and facial balance.
We offer flexible payment plans that make treatment affordable for patients whose insurance doesn’t cover Invisalign or doesn’t fully pay for it. Many patients find that a reasonable monthly payment plan works well with their budget. Most families can still afford to pay for. We take care of all your claims and talk to your insurance carrier directly while you’re getting treatment. We take care of all your claims and talk to your insurance carrier directly while you’re in treatment.
Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts can help pay for orthodontic care in addition to or instead of insurance. You can put money aside in these accounts before taxes for medical and dental costs. Paying for Invisalign with HSA or FSA money lowers the cost because you don’t have to pay taxes on that money. If your job offers these benefits you should definitely use them for orthodontic care.
The best way to find out what your plan covers is to schedule an appointment. During your first visit we’ll examine your teeth, discuss your treatment options and verify your insurance will cover them. This will tell you everything you need to know about the treatment including what it will cost after insurance. We believe in transparency so you can make informed decisions about your orthodontic care without any surprises.