The cost for orthodontic treatment varies, as the needs of every patient are different. But no matter whether the cost for your care is a comfortable fit for your budget, or well outside of it, sooner or later you'll ask the question, "do I have orthodontics insurance?"
The short answer is, it depends.
Ultimately, only the provider of your dental insurance can tell you if your insurance plan covers braces or other orthodontic treatments. However, here are some things to watch for and questions you should ask.
You may not have dental insurance at all
Your employer-sponsored dental benefit may not actually be an insurance plan. Many employers now offer a dental discount plan in lieu of traditional dental insurance. The providers of these plans typically negotiate discounted rates with selected dentists and orthodontists. When you select a dental care professional that participates in the plan, you receive care at the discounted rate. Many of these plans do offer discounts on braces and orthodonture. But it is important to check with the plan provider for details and an updated list of participating orthodontists who offer discounts.
Adults and children are covered differently
Many traditional dental insurance plans that cover orthodontics provide different coverage for adults and children. When it comes to adults, most orthodontic procedures are considered cosmetic in nature, and are usually not covered -- just as your health insurance plan does not cover cosmetic surgery. But for children, orthodontic treatment that is necessary to correct bite alignment or other problems may be considered medically necessary. In such cases, dental insurance plans often provide partial or complete coverage for qualifying orthodontic care, up to a specified lifetime maximum amount.
Flex your financial muscle
Employer-sponsored Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) can be used to pay for braces and orthodontic treatments in most cases. A flex pay account allows you to pay for eligible medical and dental expenses with pre-tax dollars, which makes your hard-earned money go farther.
Your orthodontist may have you covered
Many orthodontists offer financing and payment options to assist patients with the cost of orthodontic care. While it's not advisable to choose an orthodontist only because he or she offers these types of financial arrangements, it's certainly a good idea to inquire about payment options when evaluating a prospective orthodontist.
The bottom line for your bottom line
With creative treatment options, orthodontist-provided financial arrangements, and other tools such as flex pay accounts, dental discount plans, and even traditional dental insurance, quality orthodontic care and a beautiful smile is within reach of most everyone.
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