Is Invisalign Covered by Insurance?

The cost of Invisalign, or any orthodontic work, can sometimes be an obstacle to the smile of your dreams. But as invisible aligners have grown in popularity, so have financial options that make this dream more accessible than ever before. That being said, many still find themselves asking the question: is Invisalign covered by insurance? Well, that depends. 

Average Cost of Invisalign Before Insurance 

First, let’s review the average cost of Invisalign before insurance. While the exact number will depend on your dental treatment plan, with longer plans and more complicated cases costing more, most patients can expect to pay anywhere between $4,000 and $8,000 for their invisible aligners. 

Is Invisalign Covered by Insurance

Whether or not your Invisalign will be covered by your insurance depends on the provider and plan you have.

If your insurance plan includes dental, check to be sure it also includes orthodontic benefits. Only plans that include orthodontia are able to cover aligners—and even then, they may not cover the full cost. 

Even plans that do include these benefits almost always cover just a portion of the cost. 

What Plans Cover Invisalign? 

Not all providers, even those that include dental and orthodontic work, will cover invisible aligners. Some consider Invisalign and products like it to be cosmetic treatments, and therefore not eligible for insurance coverage. 

If you get your health insurance through an employer, and it is not with a company that includes orthodontic coverage, you still have the option of purchasing a separate individual dental plan with one of these providers. 

Not sure whether your dental insurance covers Invisalign? Contact our dental office! We serve the Raleigh and Morrisville area. Our Invisalign dentists can help you find out whether your dental insurance covers Invisalign treatment. 

How Much Will Insurance Cover 

Whether or not your Invisalign treatment will be covered by your policy even if you have one of these providers will depend on your particular plan. 

Most basic plans will not include orthodontic work. More comprehensive plans that do will likely just cover a percentage, typically between 25% and 50%, of the total cost. 

What Affects How Much Insurance Will Cover

The exact amount of the cost of your Invisalign treatment that your insurance will cover depends on a few factors. 

Age 

Many insurance providers will only cover orthodontic treatments for individuals who are 19 and under. Check with your policy providers to make sure there is no age limit on your coverage.

Lifetime Maximum

Some plans also include a lifetime maximum, which is the maximum amount they will pay out for orthodontia in your lifetime. 

This is usually between $1,000 and $3,000, but it might vary with your particular plan. If you have already met the lifetime maximum for your orthodontic work, you will likely need to pay for the entire treatment out-of-pocket. 

Other Financing Options for Invisalign

If your insurance doesn’t cover any part of your Invisalign treatment, don’t panic! There are a few other alternatives available that can help you avoid paying the entire amount up-front and out-of-pocket. 

Monthly Payment Plans

You may be able to pay in installments over the course of several months or years. Typically, you will have to pay a larger deposit upfront, and break the remainder up into smaller chunks.

Care Credit

CareCredit is a credit card used to finance medical and dental expenses. Even after insurance help, you may have high costs left over to pay. CareCredit can make this less daunting. 

Once you use your CareCredit card to make your payment, you can then pay off the total with monthly payments, usually with a low-interest rate. 

HSA (Health Savings Account)

In some cases, an employer may offer a Health Savings Account (HSA). This means the employer adds pre-tax funds to the account to help cover co-pays and out-of-pocket costs. 

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 a percentage of your pre-tax money to help cover co-payments and other forms of out-of-pocket costs. These usually have to be used within one year.

Mint Leaf Dentistry Invisalign Options 

Everyone deserves a smile that they love. Cost doesn’t have to stop you from having the smile of your dreams. We offer Invisalign treatment and dental treatment to all patients – whether or not they have dental insurance! If you’re ready for straight teeth and a smile that shines, contact our Invisalign dentists.

At Mint Leaf Dentistry in Morrisville, North Carolina, our Gold Plus Invisalign dentists are here to help you take advantage of the right option for you to get your perfect smile. Not located in Morrisville? We serve all of Raleigh, Gastonia, Concord, and surrounding regions! Contact us here, call us at  919-330-1710, or book with us online!