Are you looking to have orthodontic work done on you in the future? Maybe you want to align your teeth so that you can enhance your oral health or improve your smile. Whatever reason you want to have invisalign, you should know that it is not cheap. But can you cover the cost with your insurance?
We will answer that question shortly, but first, what is Invisalign treatment? In its simplest form, Invisalign is a type of orthodontics that uses clear aligners to correct your teeth alignment.
It is one of the most popular as well as highly sought out orthodontic treatments since it is almost invisible to the naked eyes and easily removable. Invisalign is usually used as a treatment for orthodontic issues such as:
- Overbites
- Crowded teeth
- Crossbites
- Spaces and gaps
- Open bites
- Transitional orthodontics
However, if you have chronic malocclusion, you may be forced to have traditional braces in order to correct how your jaw and teeth align as well as improve your overall oral wellbeing.
How much does Invisalign cost?
Just like any other orthodontic treatment, the cost of undergoing Invisalign treatment will depend on your particular situation. While some treatments are pretty straightforward and will only require a basic procedure, some can involve multiple steps that can only hike the cost of the procedure.
In some cases, you may need to have your teeth extracted or other complex work done on them before the alignment is even possible.
With that in mind, there is no single price for Invisalign treatment, but the average cost of the treatment is around $3,500 to $8,000, which is quite high.
The exact cost of the treatment will depend on your precise condition, your orthodontist or dentist fee, and your location among other factors.
It can also fall outside the $3,500-$8,000 range if you have a complicated condition or even if you have an easy condition. For instance, if you only need simple spacing, it might take a few minutes or hours to correct and thus less than $3,500. On the other hand, if you have a serious case of crowding and overbite, it may take a lot of time and therefore require more than $8,000.
So, does insurance cover Invisalign?
Without a dental plan, you can pay for your treatment either over several years or months or in a single payment depending on your specific condition.
Dental insurance varies widely, but most insurance coverage will only cover a small portion of the cost of Invisalign while others will consider it a cosmetic treatment and thus will not cover it completely.
The average cost of Invisalign with insurance depends on your insurance provider, but most dental plans will cover up to 50% of the total fee, and you can top up the remaining balance.
Most dental policies have a lifetime maximum, which means that once you reach the maximum dollar amount, you will have to take care of the additional or remaining costs of your Invisalign treatment.
A dental policy that also covers a portion of Invisalign means you will pay a monthly fee of $83 over a period of three years.
Dental insurance providers that might cover a percentage of invisalign treatment include:
- Aetna (Continental Life Insurance)
- Cigna
- Humana
- Delta Dental
- USAA Dental
Health insurance for paying for invisalign
When it comes to paying for invisalign treatment, you have a range of options at your disposal, including:
- FSA or HSA: Though your dental coverage may be able to cover orthodontic, it may not be enough to meet the total cost of the procedure. So, if you want to save some dollars on part of the expense that you will pay yourself, consider FSA or HSA. Either of these options will be able to lower the income tax you owe, essentially offering you extra funds that you can use to pay for your Invisalign treatment. Sometimes your employer might also fund your FSA or HSA.
- Payment plans: You will realize that orthodontists offer payment structures that can allow you to diversify the cost of your procedure.
- Employer-Sponsored: This plus Individual Dental policy can help you maximize the benefit of the plan. Consider using synchronization of benefits of two plans to help you maximize your coverage.
- Try internet clear aligners: Why not get clear aligners if you like the look of it, rather than paying over the odds for Invisalign? Clear aligners are usually cheap, and faster and can deal with moderate to mild cases of spacing, bite issues, and crowding.
Out-of-Network vs. In-Network
Every dental policy has a network of approved orthodontists or dentists who can file your coverage claim. If you go with an in-network orthodontist or dentist, you will be covered for the procedure and treatment stipulated in the plan. However, if you don’t want an in-network plan, you can opt for out-of-network dentists though you will not get the same coverage.
Luckily, most insurance companies tend to provide a decent size of network for their customers, particularly if you are a PPO plan holder.
Age limits
Most insurance firms will use your age to determine your orthodontic benefits. More often than not, plans that have age limits will cover the treatment for patients up to the age of 19, excluding the adults. Therefore, make sure you check out the age limit of an insurance plan before buying.
Waiting periods
Some dental plans have a waiting period, before which their benefits will not be applicable to you. The waiting periods can vary from several months to years, therefore, if you sign up for a plan just to get Invisalign treatment, check out for any possible waiting period or your treatment will be held off for months.
Lifetime Maximum
Most dental plans will have a maximum amount they cover for any form of orthodontic treatment in your lifetime. It can be anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000, though it can also fall outside that range depending on your needs. For instance, if your plan covers a $ 3,000-lifetime maximum while your treatment costs $5,000, you will have to pay the difference.
