So when patients are thinking about getting Invisalign they ask us if their insurance will help pay for it. We get it. Orthodontic treatment is expensive so knowing how much your insurance will cover can help you make a decision. The good news is that many insurance policies do cover Invisalign but the details are very different from one plan to the next.
Most dental insurance policies that offer orthodontics will pay for Invisalign the same way they pay for regular braces. This means they will pay for part of the treatment, usually 50% up to a lifetime maximum. That lifetime maximum for your whole life is usually between $1,000 and $3,000 but some plans offer more. The important thing to know is if your plan covers orthodontics at all you should treat Invisalign like any other orthodontic treatment.
Not all dental insurance plans cover braces. Many basic dental insurance only pay for cleanings, fillings and some restorative treatment like crowns. You won’t be able to get Invisalign or braces if your plan falls into this category. Some plans also limit orthodontic benefits to people under a certain age, usually 18 or 19. This means if your plan covers orthodontic care for kids it may not cover treatment for adults. Adult orthodontic treatment helps improve both oral health and appearance with subtle solutions like Invisalign and clear braces. Many adults choose treatment to gain confidence and a healthier smile that fits their lifestyle.
We help our Parkland patients understand their insurance benefits at Marrecau Orthodontics. Before you start treatment we can call your insurance company directly to confirm your coverage. That way you know exactly what to expect and can plan for it. We take care of all the paperwork and filing so you don’t have to figure out the insurance process on your own.
One important thing to know is that insurance companies consider Invisalign and regular braces the same kind of treatment. This means you can’t get coverage for both. You probably won’t be eligible for Invisalign as an adult if you had braces as a teenager and used your orthodontic benefit then. The lifetime maximum applies to all orthodontic treatments combined not to each one separately.
We have several ways to make treatment affordable for Parkland patients who don’t have insurance or whose benefits don’t cover the full cost. You can make monthly payments that fit your budget with our flexible payment plans. This way you can spread the cost out over the length of your treatment. Many patients say this is easy to follow even without insurance. We also accept many different payment methods and can help you create a budget that works for you.
You can also use Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts to pay for Invisalign with money you don’t have to pay taxes on. If your employer offers these benefits you can save money all year long just for medical and dental costs. Using these accounts wisely reduces the total cost because you’re paying with money that hasn’t been taxed yet.
Some people wonder if they should get braces instead of Invisalign because one might be better covered than the other. Insurance usually treats them the same. You shouldn’t just choose a treatment option based on cost. You should also consider how well it fits with your lifestyle and orthodontic needs.
The easiest way to find out what your coverage is to schedule an appointment with us. During that first visit we’ll examine your teeth, discuss your treatment options and check your insurance coverage. This gives you a full picture of what your treatment will be like and how much it will cost after insurance. We believe in being transparent so you can choose your orthodontic care without any surprises later on.