Dentistry
Cosmetic
Product Reviews
Updated on March 21, 2023
6 min read

Delta Dental Clear Aligner Coverage

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Key Takeaways

  • If you have Delta Dental, you may have orthodontic coverage depending on the type of plan you have and the treatment you need.
  • Some Delta plans cover Invisalign treatment. Others don’t.
  • Delta Dental plans don’t cover at-home clear aligners.
  • Many plans provide some kind of coverage for braces. 
  • The cost of orthodontic treatment varies widely by type, brand, and other factors.
  • HSAs, FSAs, and financing plans are alternative ways to pay for orthodontic treatment.

Does Delta Dental Cover Invisalign?

Some Delta plans cover Invisalign treatment. However, others don’t.

Delta PPO plans may cover some of the cost or provide an allowance for Invisalign. Most DeltaCare USA plans won’t cover Invisalign treatment. 

How much Delta covers depends on the plan. It can be around 50 percent for children and adults. You’ll likely need to visit a dentist or orthodontist that’s in-network with Delta for coverage.

Other treatments similar to Invisalign may or may not be covered by Delta. Be sure to check your plan and with your dentist to find out.

Here are two insurance-related terms you should know about:

  • Non-covered service: A non-covered service or a non-covered expense clause means you won't have any coverage for Invisalign.
  • Limitations and exclusions: There may be a clause that states that orthodontic benefits are offered to people ages 19 or under only. This specific limitation excludes all insured members over the age of 19 from receiving the orthodontic benefit, including coverage for Invisalign treatment.
ZocDoc

Find a Local Dentist for an Invisalign Consultation

ZocDoc can help you find a dentist in your area that:

  • Takes your insurance
  • Can schedule an appointment ASAP
  • Is close to your home
  • Is top-rated by actual customers
Local Dentist Insurance

Does Delta Dental Cover At-Home Aligners?

Delta Dental plans don’t cover at-home clear aligners, so don't expect to receive assistance with your at-home aligner treatment if you have a Delta plan.

In June 2020, SmileDirectClub took Delta Dental to court over the issue. SmileDirectClub is suing Delta Dental for refusing coverage for home aligners even though they cover other services such as teledentistry.2

Delta claims home aligners are a DIY treatment, even though this isn’t accurate. 

Some aligner providers assign a state-licensed dentist or orthodontist to develop treatment plans and assess every case. For example, SmileDirectClub and Byte.

On the other hand, DIY orthodontics is a trend where people use household items such as rubber bands to try to straighten their teeth. These DIY treatments don’t involve a dentist and can cause severe damage.

Delta Dental is holding firm on the matter. It’s not currently possible to receive coverage for home aligners if you’re insured by one of their plans. 

These include services such as:

Does Delta Dental Cover Braces? 

Many Delta plans provide coverage for braces, including DeltaCare USA and Delta PPO. 

Lingual and clear braces fall into the same category, as they treat the same types of conditions. Because the ‘Six Month Smiles’ approach typically treats milder cosmetic cases, they may not be covered. Be sure to check with Delta Dental to find out.

Some plans cover more for children than adults. Others have a lifetime limit, but this varies depending on the specific plan.

You’ll need to check your plan to determine how much you need to pay out-of-pocket.

Know that you’ll need to have treatment done by a dentist or orthodontist in Delta’s network to receive the total amount of your coverage.

Interested in straightening your teeth at home? Here are the best clear aligner companies.

Average Cost of Orthodontics Before Insurance

The average costs of orthodontic treatment before insurance are as follows:

Invisalign

Invisalign treatment costs between $3,000 and $8,000. 

This is a wide range because the price is subject to various factors, such as treatment length, condition severity, the dentist’s expertise, and location of the office.

At-Home Aligners

At-home aligners are usually significantly cheaper than in-office aligners. They cost between $1,200 and $2,000. 

Unlike Invisalign, at-home aligners come at a flat rate. The price depends on the company. Here are a few examples:

  • SmileDirectClub cost: $2,050 
  • ALIGNERCO cost: between $945 and $1,145
  • Byte cost: between $1,999 and $2,399
  • Candid: $3,300 (on average, depending on the provider) 

Some at-home aligners are partially covered by insurance (but not through Delta Dental). 

Traditional Braces 

Traditional braces usually cost somewhere between $4,000 and $6,000. The price depends on factors such as condition severity, location, and rates. 

It also depends on the braces you choose. Some options include traditional, lingual, clear, ceramic, or Six Month Smiles braces. 

Specialty braces often cost more than traditional ones. Lingual braces, for example, may cost up to $10,000.

Choosing the Best Delta Dental Plan for Orthodontic Coverage

To select the best Delta Dental orthodontic coverage plan, visit their website and head to the insurance products page. 

You’ll find a chart summarizing what each general type of Delta Dental insurance plan covers. The page also includes basic facts about each plan.

Consider choosing a plan with orthodontic coverage if you’re planning on beginning treatment soon. Also, Delta HMO plans are more limited than PPO plans, which can impact your orthodontic coverage.

Additionally, a search function allows you to type in your state for more specific information on Delta Dental insurance plans offered in your area.

How to File a Claim

For in-office treatment like Invisalign and braces, your dentist or orthodontist’s office will file an insurance claim for you. You don’t need to worry about any paperwork.

If you choose a dental office that does not participate with Delta Dental, you may or may not have out-of-network benefits. 

Sometimes offices will file for you if you have out-of-network benefits. Other times, they will request you pay upfront and file paperwork independently.  

If your employer provides your insurance, their HR department may walk you through the process. 

Delta also provides step-by-step instructions online on how to file a claim.

According to the website, you’ll need a statement of treatment from your dentist. Be sure to contact their office for it.1 

ZocDoc

Find a Local Dentist for an Invisalign Consultation

ZocDoc can help you find a dentist in your area that:

  • Takes your insurance
  • Can schedule an appointment ASAP
  • Is close to your home
  • Is top-rated by actual customers
Local Dentist Insurance

Alternative Payment Options 

If your current insurance plan doesn’t cover the orthodontic treatment you want, there are alternative ways to pay.

  • Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
  • Health Savings Account (HSA)
  • Financing Plans

FSA or HSA accounts set aside money from your income before taxes and allow you to use it for certain medical and dental expenses. They are often offered by employers and can be used to pay for orthodontic treatment. 

Financing can also help with orthodontic treatment costs. Many dentists and orthodontists offer payment plans, as most at-home aligner brands will. A credit check may be required to qualify.

There are also third-party options like CareCredit. These options provide financing for medical and dental expenses. They also often require a credit check.

Last updated on March 21, 2023
6 Sources Cited
Last updated on March 21, 2023
All NewMouth content is medically reviewed and fact-checked by a licensed dentist or orthodontist to ensure the information is factual, current, and relevant.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only cite from current scientific research, such as scholarly articles, dentistry textbooks, government agencies, and medical journals. This also includes information provided by the American Dental Association (ADA), the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO), and the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP).
  1. After your visit, Delta Dental
  2. Smile Direct Club Holds Delta Dental Entities Accountable for Depriving Millions of its Insureds Affordable Dental Treatment, GlobeNewsWire, June 2020
  3. Ways to pay for Invisalign® treatment, Invisalign 
  4. Galan-Lopez, Lidia et al. “A systematic review of the accuracy and efficiency of dental movements with Invisalign®.” Korean journal of orthodontics vol. 49,3 : 140-149
  5. Garla, Bharath Kumar et al. “Dental insurance: A systematic review.” Journal of International Society of Preventive & Community Dentistry vol. 4,Suppl 2 : S73-7
  6. About us, Delta Dental
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