Invisalign® treatment can improve both dental health and physical appearance. With help from an insurance company, it can be done less expensively. Here are a few things to know about insurance coverage and Invisalign®.
Types of coverage
According to Invisalign®, insurance plans typically cover a portion of the treatments. While this is true for most insurance policies, it is always important to check with an insurance agent to verify which procedures are included.
Percentage covered
When insurance covers a percentage of Invisalign® treatment, the percentage may vary based on the type of procedure billed. For example, insurance may cover 80% of the office visit or dentist’s fee but only 60% of the Invisalign® product. Each insurance company and policy will vary, but most will cover anywhere from 40% to 80% of the cost of the procedure.
Dollar amount covered
Most insurance companies put a maximum on the dollar amount they will pay out. If the dental treatment costs $8,000, insurance may cover up to $3,000. This would leave the patient responsible for the $5,000 balance. The amount insurance covers can sometimes renew annually, so out-of-pocket expenses may be reduced by strategically timing the treatments. For example, if the treatment costs $8,000 and insurance will pay $3,000 per year for dental bills, try to schedule the treatment at the end of one year and the beginning of another so they will pay for $6,000 of the treatment.
It is crucial to remember most insurance plans have a deductible that must be met before benefits kick in. This means if there is a $500 deductible, the patient will have to pay that amount in order for the insurance policy to activate and start covering the treatment.
Do research
There is no way to know specifics about a policy or treatment coverage without doing individual research. It is up to patients to investigate their policies.
Find out about the coverage
Rather than booking an appointment and hoping the right insurance coverage is in place, check beforehand to keep out-of-pocket expenses as low as possible. Some of the ways to verify what is contained in a policy include:
- Call the customer service number on the insurance card
- Look up Invisalign® treatment in the benefits package
- Talk to the benefits manager of your employer
- Visit the insurance company’s website
Keep in mind dental procedures are sometimes covered under health insurance instead of a separate dental policy. In other cases, a dental policy must be purchased separately in order to provide coverage.
Talk to a doctor
Different medical practices accept different types of insurance. Even if an insurance company covers Invisalign®, the doctor must accept the insurance in order for the policy to be effective. Before scheduling a consultation, ask the medical billing staff at the doctor’s office which insurance plans they accept. Checking with the insurance company to find out which doctors are in the network is also an option.
Conclusion
Invisalign® treatment does not have to be expensive if the right insurance is in place and procedures are strategically planned. Knowing how insurance coverage works and which doctors accept it is the key to reducing the patient’s portion of the expenses.
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