Orthodontic Insurance Plans
Dental treatments were never cheap. However, when you compare ordinary dental treatment cost with that of orthodontic treatment, you will be amazed to see the vast difference in their costs. Treatments like braces were earlier considered as child’s prerogative. However, these days an increasing number of adults opt for these treatments, thanks to the consciousness regarding one’s physical appearance.
The problem with orthodontic insurance is that most plans are meant for children. Plans for adults are hard to find. Besides, some people are under the impression that their usual dental insurance will cover the cost of the treatments. However, this is not the case. Let us see why.
Need for Orthodontic Insurance
Dental plans often cover most of the diagnostic and preventive dental procedures. These treatments are mostly targeted at improving the dental health of a person. Sometimes, these treatments become a must to treat an underlying medical condition. On the other hand, orthodontic treatments are considered more of a cosmetic nature as they are mainly intended at improving the physical appearance of a person.
As a result, these treatments are not perceived as ‘mandatory’ treatments. Hence, you have difficult time finding a good plan for adults. The good news is that, these days some companies have come up with plans especially for adults and families. These can prove to be very helpful for families considering the very high cost of these treatments.
Even the most basic orthodontic treatment costs you around USD 2,000. If you opt for braces, then get ready to pay USD 5,500 towards average cost of braces. Besides, you might have to bear additional expenses for several pre-treatment procedures such as X-rays, molds etc. Since, the treatments often stretch over a time span of several years, you will have to make repeated visits to a dentist’s office. Even if you opt for a short term procedure like Invisalign, you will still have to pay a hefty amount. Hence, it is a must that you are backed by a good insurance plan.
How to Get Orthodontic Insurance
Currently, there are only a handful of good orthodontic insurance plans. Most of these cover at least 50% of the total cost of the procedure. Some of them may even cover as high as 80% of the cost. The exact coverage will be dependent upon the plan you opt for. American Dental Plus is a good choice for families. It covers 80% of the cost of all major treatments such as braces. Moreover, there is no waiting period for this, hence you can avail the benefits on the same day as you enroll.
Another good option is available through the Dentemax Discount Dental Plan. The annual premium for individual plans is a little over USD 100. You can get it upgraded to a family plan at an additional expense. At a higher premium, you can also get coverage for advanced treatments such as smile correction etc.
While choosing a scheme one must conduct thorough research. It is best to rely upon reputed companies, even though they may seem a little expensive. Some online companies offer best coverage and lucrative payment options. However, more often than not, these companies are a scam. Hence, it is best to steer clear of them.
Thus, with a little research, you can easily find orthodontic insurance plans that suit your needs. You can also inquire at your dentist’s office, if they have any discounts.
