Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Some dental insurances cover a portion of Invisalign similarly to how they cover traditional braces.

Since dental insurances vary widely, it is best to have a financial coordinator discuss the benefits and percentage of covered benefits with you. Some insurance policies will pay a specific dollar amount if Invisalign is a covered benefit. 

How Much Does Invisalign Cost With Insurance?

Dental insurance widely varies, but many larger insurance policies will cover a percentage of Invisalign.

Others consider Invisalign a cosmetic treatment unlike traditional braces and will not cover any portion. The average coverage will depend on your individual insurance provider, and most dental insurances will cover between 25% to 50% of the treatment fee, leaving you with the balance. 

This means even if you and your friend both have Delta Dental, they may cover her Invisalign treatment at 30% while yours is only covered at 25%.

Most dental insurance plans have a lifetime maximum, meaning once you meet that dollar amount, you will be responsible for any remaining or additional costs that you incur. 

If you have dental insurance that will cover a percentage of Invisalign, you can expect to pay a monthly fee of around $83 a month over the time period of 36 months. 

The dental insurance companies most likely to cover a portion of Invisalign are:

• Cigna
• Delta Dental 
• Humana
• Aetna
• USAA Dental 

Cost of Invisalign Without Insurance

If you have dental coverage that will not pay a portion of Invisalign, you can expect to spend an average of $3,000 to $5,000 on treatment.

On the higher end of treatment plans, Invisalign may cost $8,000 to $10,000. Like most orthodontic treatment plans, the process, timeline, and costs will vary based on your needs and the dentist treating you.

If you don’t have dental or orthodontic coverage, you can expect to pay either in a single payment or pay over several months or years, depending on the extent of your Invisalign treatment. The average monthly cost without insurance is $100 per month. 

Invisalign Cost vs. Traditional Metal Braces

Invisalign is almost always more expensive than traditional metal braces.

One of the biggest reasons for Invisalign’s higher cost is the substantial laboratory cost to the orthodontist to fabricate the custom clear aligners. Invisalign charges dental practices anywhere from $1,500 to $2,000 depending on how many cases a dentist does per year and the “status” with Invisalign.

Treatment costs will always depend on the severity of the case, the dentist treating the case, the location, and your dental insurance policy. 

Invisalign typically costs $3,000 to $10,000, while traditional braces average $3,000 to $7,000. These costs may also not include records like x-rays and models, and retainers following the treatment.

It is always wise to discuss all out-of-pocket costs before treatment starts, even if a bracket breaks or an Invisalign tray cracks or becomes lost. 

Alternative Ways to Pay for Invisalign

Since Invisalign out of pocket costs can be high and not feasible for many people, most dental practices offer options to make it convenient and affordable.

Most importantly, different payment options help patients get the treatment they need without delaying it due to finances. 

Monthly Payment Plans

A personalized monthly payment plan will be an arrangement between you and your dentist to decrease your initial expenses.

Most dental practices offer monthly payment plans at no additional cost or interest rate. Typically, a practice will require a larger deposit of the treatment upfront and low-cost monthly installments that span several months or years.  

FSA (Flexible Spending Account)

Several employers offer flexible spending accounts (FSA) for their employees as a healthcare benefit.

An employer will typically fund the account with pre-tax money to help cover co-payments and other forms of out-of-pocket costs. An FSA usually has a time limit of one year to use the funds.

HSA (Health Savings Account)

An HSA is similar to an FSA but does not have a one-year time limit to use the funding.

Also, an HSA is usually only eligible to contribute to if you have a high deductible health plan. This savings account is used to help cover the costs of co-payments, deductibles, and other out-of-pocket expenses that you may incur. 

CareCredit

CareCredit is a great way to finance Invisalign treatment for people who may have high out-of-pocket costs.

Even for those with partial dental coverage, this may still leave thousands of dollars left at your expense. CareCredit is a credit card that can be used for medical and dental expenses.

Most dental practices will accept CareCredit as a form of payment as it can help finance several dental procedures without delaying treatment. You will pay similar to a traditional credit card with paying a minimum balance each month at a low-interest rate. 

What is Invisalign Treatment?

Invisalign is a form of orthodontics that utilizes clear aligners to correct the alignment of teeth.

It is a popular and highly sought out treatment because it is nearly invisible and removable.

Invisalign is widely used in the dental industry to treat common orthodontic issues such as:

• Crowded teeth
• Gaps and spaces
• Open bites
• Crossbites
• Overbites 
• Transitional orthodontics (early intervention for mixed dentition)

In orthodontics, a severe malocclusion may require traditional braces to properly correct how the teeth and jaw align and improve your overall oral health.