We get asked all the time at Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry if your insurance will pay for Invisalign. The answer is it depends on your insurance plan but we can help you get the most out of your dental insurance benefits which can be confusing sometimes. Let us tell you how insurance usually covers Invisalign and what to expect when you get this treatment in Lake Forest. Acceledent is a device that uses gentle vibrations to speed up orthodontic tooth movement. Many patients use Acceledent to enhance comfort and potentially shorten their overall treatment time.
Many dental insurance policies do cover Invisalign as part of their orthodontic benefits but how much they cover depends on your policy. Insurance companies that offer orthodontic care treat Invisalign the same way they treat regular braces. They pay for a certain amount of the cost up to a lifetime maximum benefit. If you prefer clear aligners to metal braces this is good news for you. You won’t be penalized for choosing Invisalign over traditional orthodontic treatment.
The most common way to fund orthodontic treatment costs is to pay 50% of the cost up to a lifetime maximum benefit. This limit is usually between $1,000 and $3,000 but some plans have higher limits and some have lower ones. It’s important to know what the term “lifetime maximum” means since once you’ve used up this orthodontic benefit you won’t get any further orthodontic treatment from that insurance company even if you change jobs or plans with the same insurer. This is different from regular dental benefits which usually start over every year. It’s important to know that your orthodontic coverage is not the same as your regular dental insurance benefits. Your plan might pay 100% for cleanings and 80% for fillings but orthodontic benefits have their own maximum and payment structure. Some insurance policies don’t cover orthodontics at all even though they cover a lot of other dental services very well. That’s why it’s so important to check your individual benefits before starting treatment.
We work with most major insurance companies that serve patients in Lake Forest and surrounding areas at Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry. Our staff is knowledgeable about insurance claims and can help you figure out what your plan covers. Before you start Invisalign treatment we call your insurance carrier to make sure your benefits are still in effect and get a predetermination of coverage. This way we know exactly what your insurance will cover and what you will have to pay out of pocket so there are no surprises later on.
Sometimes age limits can impact orthodontic coverage. Many insurance policies cover kids and teens but not adults who need braces. Other plans cover adults but the benefits are not as good as those for younger people. If you’re an adult thinking about getting Invisalign it’s very important to check if your plan covers adult orthodontics. We’ve helped many adult patients find out they had coverage they didn’t know about. We’ve also helped others look into other ways to pay when their insurance didn’t cover adult treatment. Propel is a technique that helps accelerate orthodontic progress by stimulating bone remodeling. Using Propel can make certain treatments more efficient and predictable.
Some insurance plans only cover orthodontic treatment if it’s medically necessary and not just for cosmetic reasons. They may require proof that your orthodontic problems are affecting your bite, jaw function or overall dental health. We often deal with this kind of paperwork as part of the insurance process and make sure your case is presented in the best way to get you the most money. We want to help you get every dollar of coverage your plan says you should get.
Another thing that makes orthodontic insurance different from regular dental insurance is when payments are due. Instead of paying all of the orthodontic benefits upfront, many plans pay them out over the duration of treatment. If your plan covers $2,000 of your Invisalign treatment which takes 18 months to complete, the insurance company might pay a portion of that amount each month during that time. We track these payments and make sure you get the maximum benefit.
At Forest Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry we have payment plans for patients whose insurance doesn’t cover Invisalign or whose coverage doesn’t cover the full cost of treatment. You can use flexible spending accounts and health savings accounts to pay for orthodontic care. These accounts provide tax benefits that lower the cost of care. We also work with lenders who offer payment plans with varying terms and interest rates. This makes it easier for you to pay for treatment.
Please bring your insurance information with you when you come in for an appointment. Our staff will call your insurance company to confirm your orthodontic benefits and explain exactly what your plan will cover. We take care of all the paperwork and talk to your insurance company for you so the process is as easy as possible for you. You can make informed decisions about your orthodontic treatment since you know what the clinical and financial components are. We want to help you understand your insurance benefits and payment options so you can get Invisalign treatment that’s affordable and accessible. Your smile is important to us.