Many patients mistakenly believe that orthodontic treatment costs thousands of dollars — far outside the scope of what their insurance provider can cover. They assume it’s an aesthetic procedure, so insurance coverage (and the smile of their dreams) is out of the question. This is a common concern, especially in the wake of the Coronavirus and intensifying economic crisis. But good news: this assumption couldn’t be further from the truth. All providers offer a wide variety of insurance options to meet the unique needs of you and your family. Even within the same carrier, there are multiple plans to choose from – based on your employer’s election. Some plans cover adults and children, others cover children only, and some pay out the benefit in one lump sum, while others pay out in monthly or quarterly installments. In a nutshell: just because a friend’s plan has certain limitations doesn’t mean yours will as well, so it’s imperative to carefully evaluate your options before throwing in the towel on your beautiful new smile.
Another common misconception is that dental and orthodontic insurance are one and the same. In reality, orthodontic insurance has little in common with dental insurance. While dental insurance renews each year, orthodontic insurance has a lifetime maximum – meaning once you use it, it’s gone. Due to this lifetime benefit, a waiting period sometimes occurs to ensure the insurance company can cover all the necessary costs involved.
The best way to determine which insurance plan is right for you is to ask questions! We highly recommend talking to your employer’s HR representative when signing up for orthodontic insurance. If they are unable to answer your questions, they can likely refer you to a resource who can help you. By doing your research to thoroughly understand potential plans, you can better evaluate what cost, benefits, and lifetime maximum best fits your personal financial situation. Every element from who the plan covers (one person versus a family), to how the orthodontic office is paid out, is in the palm of your hand.
While insurance can be overwhelming, we promise it will be well worth it when you feel confident with your radiant smile. It’s your benefits, your smile, and your life – you deserve to understand how the process works!
For those of you in active treatment receiving benefits yet are considering removing benefits during the yearly elections or contemplating switching employers, please give our office a call. We are happy to inform you how much benefit has been paid to date so that there are no surprises.
We can’t wait to help you achieve a smile that will change your life!
