How much is orthodontics insurance?

The cost of orthodontic insurance can vary widely, depending on where you get it and the type of coverage you have. Knowing exactly what treatments you need will help you find dental insurance that covers orthodontic appliances. While many dental plans include coverage for orthodontic appliances, consider any additional costs that may be part of your treatment. Once your orthodontic treatment begins, follow the terms of your plan closely so you can take advantage of discounts that you qualify for under your dental insurance plan.

The price of a dental plan that includes orthodontic coverage varies depending on the type of plan you choose, where you live, and the number of people covered by the plan. You should also review your plan's coverage and talk to your orthodontist to make sure that orthodontics are covered by your plan. Orthodontic insurance is complementary to dental insurance and generally cannot be purchased alone, it must be added to an existing dental insurance plan you have, or it must be purchased together if you buy a dental insurance plan. These include using a health savings account or flexible spending account to save on taxes or going to a local dental school for treatment from a training orthodontist.

Many dental discount plans offer discounts on orthodontic appliances or other orthodontic work, with discounts of 20% or more. Patients can choose clear aligners if they are looking for orthodontic treatment that is less easy to see than traditional braces. The best orthodontic insurance doesn't require you to go through the hoop to get started with braces or other treatments. You can meet with a local orthodontist for an estimate of uninsured costs to decide if you can afford out-of-pocket treatment or if you need to look for other ways to help pay.

Many plans also apply a lifetime maximum to orthodontic treatment, if this coverage is included in the dental insurance plan. Aflac orthodontic insurance includes dental insurance as a supplement to health insurance, and orthodontic coverage is provided by an additional clause. For adults looking to straighten their smile, Aflac offers supplemental dental insurance coverage with an optional orthodontic clause. Unlike many dental insurance options, the Cigna dental savings plan can be used for cosmetic dentistry and orthodontic care, as long as you choose a service provider that is within the Cigna network.

However, you'll need to do a second level of research to make sure you choose a plan with orthodontic coverage. Like many dental insurance plans, Cigna has a low lifetime maximum for orthodontic coverage, but the variety of other services covered makes Cigna attractive value. Because orthodontic coverage in these plans comes as a discount, a covered service such as dental treatments, deductibles and limits for orthodontic treatment does not apply. American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus, or Aflac, offers dental insurance supplements with an optional clause for orthodontics.