Invisalign is a treatment process for crooked or misaligned teeth that involves a series of clear aligners or trays made of medical-grade acrylic plastic. It has advantages over conventional metal braces, particularly in appearance and convenience. However, Invisalign is also costly.
If you are considering Invisalign for yourself or your child, you are likely wondering if it is covered by your dental insurance and if so, by how much. Read on for a new patient’s guide to insurance coverage of Invisalign.
Want to find out if you or your child needs braces? Visit Reese Orthodontics in Charleston, SC for leading orthodontic care.
Schedule AppointmentReasons to Get Invisalign
Invisalign retainers are molded to the shape of your teeth. At each new appointment (your orthodontist will set them a few weeks apart), you will receive a new Invisalign appliance based on your progress.
Much like conventional braces, Invisalign can treat many oral health issues, such as:
- Crowding problems
- Bite problems, such as overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Spacing problems
To treat these issues, many patients receive either traditional metal braces or Invisalign. Both can be prescribed for approximately the same reasons, but there are differences.
The Difference Between Invisalign and Braces
The main difference between Invisalign and metal braces is that Invisalign appliances are nearly invisible. They can be taken out to eat and put back in later. This allows the patient not only to floss and brush unimpeded but can also be convenient for people in certain jobs. The ability to take off your “braces” for a meeting or luncheon may be important for you.
The other difference, as we will discuss now, is that Invisalign is often more expensive.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost (on Average) Without Insurance?
Without insurance, or with an insurance plan that does not cover Invisalign, the treatment can cost anywhere from $3,000 to $9,000, according to the official Invisalign website. The cost depends on the timeline of treatment, the severity of your issues, other health problems, your location, your willingness to wear the appliance for the prescribed amount of time, and other factors.
The average cost for the average patient lands somewhere between $4,000 and $5,000. That would be a realistic expectation for your out-of-pocket cost for Invisalign without insurance.
Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?
Thankfully, many insurance plans do cover Invisalign to help patients reduce these costs. However, the amount of coverage you will receive varies wildly between plans, making it essential to talk with your provider about your individual benefits.
Some dental insurance plans cover up to 50% of your Invisalign treatment while most range between 25% and 50%. Sometimes, these plans place a lifetime limit on this coverage, usually with an average of $2,000. A plan that covers the entire treatment with no limit would not only be rare but extremely expensive.
Which Insurance Companies Cover Invisalign?
The best way to find out if your insurance covers Invisalign is to ask them. While this list is not comprehensive, many major dental insurances offer partial coverage for Invisalign treatment. These include Delta, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, and USAA Dental.
Payment Options for Invisalign
Due to high out-of-pocket costs for Invisalign treatments, in many cases patients will need alternative ways to pay for their Invisalign treatment. These alternate payment options include:
Monthly Plans
Talk with your orthodontist about a monthly payment schedule personalized for your income level and personal needs. Most practices will offer you these plans without charging additional fees or interest rates.
For a low-cost monthly payment plan, most orthodontists require an upfront deposit for the treatment. However, following the deposit, a payment plan can last months or even years, depending on the patient’s situation.
HSA and FSA
HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) both represent alternative payment methods. They are plans offered by employers to fund medical treatments like Invisalign with pre-tax money in order to mitigate their employees’ out-of-pocket costs.
The main difference between the two is that FSAs often have one-year time restrictions where the patient must use the money within that time. HSAs don’t usually have that limit. However, they are available only to patients whose health plan has a high deductible.
Health Credit
Several organizations such as CareCredit and LendingPoint offer loans for treatments like Invisalign. To help patients pay for the out-of-pocket costs, these companies offer credit similar to a credit card company that can be used for health expenses.
The applications are often simple. However, review the terms and conditions thoroughly to avoid any hidden interest rates.
Choose Reese Orthodontics
If you’re an adult who is considering Invisalign, you need professional advice on your treatment and payment options. For orthodontic treatments in Charleston, SC, Reese Orthodontics offers the latest technology and treatment plans. Our advanced and comfortable orthodontic treatments can be customized to suit your needs. A consultation with Reese Orthodontics includes scans, a comprehensive exam, and a conversation with the orthodontist to discover which treatment options are right for you.
Schedule an appointment with us today to stay ahead of your oral health and receive the best possible treatment in your area.
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