Dental Insurance That Covers Adult Braces

Is There Dental Insurance For Braces With No Waiting Period

Nearly all dental insurance that covers braces involves a waiting period. This means that even if youve found a great plan that covers braces to enroll in, youll likely have to wait at least 12 months before you can receive orthodontic benefits. Waiting periods typically depend on the state you live in the dental insurance policy you have, among other factors. So, if youve been thinking of getting braces either for yourself or for your children, get dental insurance that covers braces as soon as possible so you can save on the cost of orthodontic treatment a year or more from now.

However, even if your dental insurance that covers braces has a waiting period for orthodontic treatment, you still may be able to enjoy certain dental benefits from when coverage begins. All Guardian Direct dental plans have no waiting periods whatsoever for preventative treatment, such as oral exams, cleanings, and X-rays. Plus, these procedures can be covered from 50%-100%, depending on the plan*. This can help you take great care of your teeth in the year leading up to getting braces.

Best For Military Families: Usaa Dental Insurance

USAA

• Coverage Limit: $2,000 lifetime maximum limit
• No. States Available: 50

With low costs and a reputation for customer satisfaction, USAA is our top choice for a dental insurance plan for braces for military families.

• Strong reputation for customer service for the military

• Quality dental insurance policies issued in partnership with Cigna and IHC

• Up to $2,000 lifetime maximum for orthodontia

• Policy not issued or administered directly by USAA

• $200 deductible for orthodontic treatment

• Not available to families without military status

USAA is a top-rated bank and insurance company for active-duty military, veterans, and their families. Like many other insurance products offered by USAA, it scores top marks for customer service with its dental plans. USAA issues dental insurance in partnership with Cigna and IHC.

According to Cigna, the average cost for plan members is $2,187 for braces in-network versus $6,727 without insurance. You pay 50% of the contracted fee after reaching your deductible and waiting period. Braces treatment requires a 12-month waiting period.

A quote for a California family of four led to pricing of $61.56 a month and higher. That isnât the cheapest policy around, but itâs competitive for extensive dental coverage.

While USAA Dental Insurance requires working with a third-party insurance provider, the policies offer great coverage for orthodontics from a reputable and trusted partner.

How Do I Find A Dental Insurance That Covers Orthodontics

If you do not currently have a dental plan, you can get dental coverage in one of two ways:

• Purchase through your employer – If you have an employer that offers dental you can choose a dental plan as part of your benefits.
• Purchase your own dental plan – If you do not have employer coverage, you can buy one on your own through a health insurance carrier that sells individual and family dental insurance plans , or through the Health Insurance Marketplace.

With any type of plan, be sure to review how your dental insurance works to check if orthodontic coverage is included. There are usually limits, and not every plan includes coverage for braces and other orthodontic services. For example, a plan may cover braces for children but not for adults.

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How Do I Know If I Need Invisalign Or Braces

Are you happy with your smile? If you have an overbite, underbite, overlapping teeth, an orthodontist can come up with a treatment plan to help straighten your teeth. This plan may include braces, clear aligners such as Invisalign, or other types of dental appliances. Be sure to check your specific plan documents to see if Invisalign is covered.

Dental Discount Plans Vs Dental Insurance For Braces

Dental discount plans are not actually insurance policies. When you sign up, the company contracts with a network of providers who consent to reduce their treatment fees, including fees for braces.

Keep in mind that not all services may be available with dental discount plans and you must use a dentist in the planâs network to be eligible for the discount. The amount of savings you get depends on where you live and the plan you choose, but typical discounts range from 10% to 60% for in-network services.

Unlike dental insurance, dental discount plans generally donât have deductibles, waiting periods or annual maximum coverage caps. Annual dental discount plans can cost $100 for a single person or $150 for a family.

A dental discount plan might be a good fit for you if you need major dental work, and especially if you need multiple dental procedures during the year. But note that even with the discount, you will still wind up paying a hefty amount of your dental care.

If youâre considering a dental discount plan for braces, contact some of the dentists in the network and ask what the discounted cost would be to determine how much you would save by using the plan.

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Why Is Coverage For Braces Important

Braces are expensive, and prices vary depending on where you live and the type of braces you choose. Traditional braces have brackets and wires. The average price of these braces is between $5,000 and $6,000. Ceramic braces, which are similar to traditional braces but less visible, cost about $500 more. Invisible aligners are an increasingly popular choice. These braces also cost $5,000 to $6,000.

Lets say your plan covers braces at 50%. Your braces cost $6,000. Depending on your plans limits, this means you pay $3,000 out-of-pocket instead of $6,000.

Dental Insurance For Braces

Despite the fact that an estimated 75% of people might need orthodontic treatment, braces are very expensive and out of reach for many. Paying for braces or other dental work without insurance can be very difficult. That’s why dental insurance plans for braces could help you find cheap braces.

Ready to get answers to all of your braces insurance questions? Let’s dive in!

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Best For No Waiting Period For Orthodontic Discounts: Humana

Humana

With no waiting period for orthodontics discounts, Humana is a great choice for individuals and families looking to purchase braces right away.

• Multiple plans with various price points, with orthodontic discounts included

• Extensive coverage available for most traditional dental treatments

• Orthodontic discounts not included in all plans

• No direct insurance coverage for orthodontics

• Waiting periods for dental services with some plans

Humana is an insurer based in Louisville, Kentucky. It earns an A- financial strength rating from AM Best. Dental insurance plans from Humana donât generally cover orthodontic treatment but do come with discounts for orthodontics.

In the plans we reviewed, orthodontic coverage was limited to a discount plan. Payments for orthodontic coverage are specifically excluded. This means you wonât receive insurance payments toward braces or similar treatment regardless of your deductible or annual maximumâall coverage is in the form of a discount.

In a quote for a family of four, there were four possible dental insurance plans available. Two of the plans included orthodontics discounts: Loyalty Plus PPO and Complete Dental PPO. These were available for $131.96 and $150.99 per month, respectively.

Spirit Dental Offers The Best Dental Insurance For Braces

At Spirit Dental, we understand how important and necessary orthodontic care is. Thats why we offer plans that provide this type of coverage. Check out our network plans, such as our Network 1200/2500/5000 plan, to get the right amount of support for ultimate peace of mind.

As an example, we offer plans that include a $1,200 orthodontia benefit that can help pay for an evaluation and treatments for dependent children. These have a $600 annual limit and a $1,200 lifetime maximum.

Our plans can also provide 10% coverage for the first year, 25% for the second year, and 50% for the third year. Plus, they come with a low, one-time $100 deductible, and there are no waiting periods.

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Best Place To Shop For Plans: Dentalplanscom

DentalPlans.com

If youâre looking to compare plans to find the best coverage for you and your family, DentalPlans.com has plenty of options to choose from.

• Compare quotes from multiple providers

• Simple online platform

• Not all plans with coverage for orthodontics

DentalPlans.com is a marketplace where you can compare multiple insurance and discount plan providers in one place. It features savings plans from top insurers and companies, including Aetna, Humana, and Delta Dental. Because it isnât an insurance company in its own right, DentalPlans.com doesnât have financial strength ratings.

Comparing discount plans for Southern California families resulted in eight different insurance and savings plans. Savings plans were available for $125 to $155 per year. Insurance was available from $29 per month to $65 per month. Each plan has its own coverage levels and limits. Three of the discount plans included orthodontic coverage.

The lowest-cost savings plans with orthodontic coverage are Aetna Vital Dental Savings , Aetna Vital Dental Savings Plus Rx , and iDental Discount Plan by United Concordia .

According to DentalPlans.com, many plans offer orthodontic savings of up to 50% of the treatment cost. Coverage can begin in as little as 72 hours with no lifetime cap on coverage.

Get Discounts On All Plans

Although not considered insurance, discount plans allow you to buy lower-priced services.

These programs are increasingly popular due to the substantial discounts offered by network dentists. Most of them offer price cuts on cosmetic and adult orthodontia. Careington Care500 Plan is an example of a savings plan that offers 20 percent off the regular adult orthodontia fee. To join, you will need to pay a $20 processing fee and $99 per year.

If you are not covered for orthodontic treatment, or have reached the maximum lifetime payout of your dental plan, discount plans may be a good option.

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Dental Insurance Plan Selection Considerations

If youre shopping for adult dental coverage, there are several things youll want to consider:

• Check your provider network. Do you already have an established relationship with a particular dentist, and is it important to you that you continue to be able to see this dentist? If so, youll want to check the networks of the available dental plans to see if your dentist is in-network.
• Check for providers near you. If youre willing to see any dentist, youll have a wider range of options available to you. But its still important to make sure that the plan has in-network dentists who are conveniently located for you, and who are accepting new patients.
• Assess your familys needs. Do you have children who also need dental coverage? If so, this might tip the scales toward purchasing a plan through the exchange, in order to obtain the more robust pediatric dental benefits that are available on those plans. But again, that might not be an option unless youre also buying a health plan, and it will only be available at limited times during the year. If you dont mind having the same limited dental benefits for each member of the family, an off-exchange family dental plan might work just fine.
• How soon will you need dental care? Do you need dental care in the immediate future? If so, pay particular attention to things like waiting periods and benefit caps.

Key Dental Plan Saves Members 20% To 60%

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Does Dental Insurance Cover Braces For Adults

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Its hard to match the teeth-moving power of braces. Theyre studier and more effective than most other options. But that effectiveness comes at a price. Braces are one of the most expensive orthodontic options, which leads many to wonder whether dental insurance can help reduce the overall cost. And the answer is yes, but only sometimes.

Dental insurance plans sometimes cover braces treatment, although it depends on your specific provider and plan. This guide will help you navigate your insurance details and know what to expect.

Tips For Choosing Dental Insurance

There are many kinds of dental insurance plans out there but not all are created equal. The three main types are Indemnity, Preferred Provider Organization and Dental/Health Maintenance Organization Plans. What are the differences and do you need one?

1. Dental insurance is not required to obtain orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign. Flexible monthly payments allow nearly everyone to attain a straight, beautiful smile.

2. Indemnity Plan: This type of plan gives you the most flexibility as it allows you to see any Orthodontist that you wish. You do not need to worry about whether the doctor is in-network or out-of-network. You pay at the time services are rendered, and we complete a claim on your behalf so that you can get reimbursed by your Indemnity Plan. We are happy to assist you in making sure that your claims are completed correctly.

3. Preferred Provider Organization Plan: This is a plan that gives you access to a panel of participating Orthodontists that will render services at a reduced fee. PPO dentists participate in the network thereby agreeing to accept contracted fees as payment in full rather than their usual and customary fees. When you visit a PPO dentist, you typically pay a certain percentage of the reduced rate and the plan pays the rest. PPO Plans typically cover Orthodontic treatment at a rate of 50%. PPOs usually have a lifetime maximum of around $1000. The great news is that Orthodontic Harmony is in-network with most PPO Plans!

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You Are What You Eat: Understanding Dental Insurance

Dental insurance for adults braces can help cover braces for adults. Coverage will depend on the plan, but might include fees for consultations, anesthesia, and other necessary treatments. Plans typically have specific coverage limits, so be sure to ask about what is included. You may also need to provide a copy of your braces treatment plan or prescription from your dentist.

Buying Adult Dental Coverage On

If youre shopping outside the exchange and you have children in your family who will be on the dental plan with you, keep in mind that the ACAs pediatric dental benefits do not have to be offered on plans that you purchase outside the exchange.

If youre only buying coverage for adults, the overall benefit options will be fairly comparable on-exchange and off-exchange. But if your plan will also cover children, the benefits that will be provided to the children via an on-exchange dental plan will be much more robust than the benefits that will be provided to adults .

As noted above, dental insurance can only be purchased through the exchange during open enrollment or a special enrollment period. And in the majority of the states, it can only be purchased together with health insurance which means the exchange might not be a good solution if you only need dental insurance.

For example, maybe you work for an employer that provides medical coverage but not dental coverage. Or maybe you have Medicare and thus cannot buy an individual market plan .

Fortunately, there are off-exchange dental plans available nationwide, year-round, without the need for a qualifying event. Depending on where you live, youll generally find that different insurers offer plans on-exchange and off-exchange, so its worth comparing both options .

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Free Braces When Pregnant

It is perfectly safe to get braces while pregnant. There are certain things to consider if you plan on getting braces treatment while you are expecting a baby: gum inflammation, headaches, and increased plaque growth are common side effects of both braces treatment and pregnancy. Talk to your orthodontist about when to begin braces treatment if you are also pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant.

If you qualify for Medicaid or another state-sponsored insurance plan, you may be able to get your braces covered as an adult. In the UK, the NHS specifically covers braces treatment for pregnant women, but in the U.S. your pregnancy does not impact whether or not your subsidized insurance will help pay for braces.

If you have Medicaid or a state-sponsored insurance plan, schedule a consultation to find out if your condition may qualify for braces coverage.

What Is Dental Insurance

Dental insurance is not typically part of medical insurance coverage. Instead, its usually an optional plan that can be purchased separately, and it doesnt always work exactly the way medical coverage does.

Dental insurance is a policy that helps cover the cost of services administered in a dental office for a monthly premium similar to how you pay for medical insurance. But its not insurance in the traditional sense, explains Alex Karrenbrock, a sales associate at Apollo Insurance Group in Lees Summit, Missouri. Its a discount plan with a limited benefit. Meaning, if you go to a dentist that is in network, theyre contractually obligated to give you the discounted insurance fee and not the office fee, which is typically 20% to40% higher, she says. Your dental insurance coverage helps to pay part or all of the feehow much is paid depends on your specific plan and the benefits offered.

Even though dental insurance doesnt always cover your entire bill, many people find it helpful when it comes to saving on preventative care and dental procedures that may be needed. Dental work can get very expensive very quickly, and insurance can often help alleviate that financial burden.

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