Does insurance cover Invisalign? How it works | 2022

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Invisalign aligners are currently the most sought after aligners. This set of aligners has proven to be effective, easy to care for and barely noticeable. 

Does insurance cover Invisalign? This question arises because of how expensive this form of dental care is. Before you opt for Invisalign teeth care, learn about your insurance policy.  

You may not know about Invisalign, or this may be the first time you’ve heard about it from your dentist, but don’t worry!

We will explain everything you need to know about Invisalign and, most importantly, the part that answers the question; Does insurance cover Invisalign?

Fasten your seat belt as you learn more about this.

What is Invisalign?

You may be wondering what is Invisalign? Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment. Aligns teeth and does not involve the use of metal braces. 

They are custom-made transparent braces; they cover your teeth properly while gently pulling them back into their correct position over time. Invisalign is less noticeable than other braces and can be easily removed and put on. 

Today, metal braces are not the only option to improve your teeth; Invisalign is also an option. With Invisalign, you don’t need braces or metal braces that can affect your smile. 

Invisalign makes your teeth more comfortable and beautiful. It also ensures your confidence as it is not very noticeable. Invisalign is made from BFA-free plastic and is much more comfortable than traditional metal braces. 

How does the use of Invisalign work?

Before purchasing your first Invisalign, you will need to go to the hospital and check if it fits your teeth. If it doesn’t fit you, make the necessary adjustments to make it more comfortable for you.  

Your Invisalign aligners should be worn all day, except when you eat, brush or floss. These aligners are removable, so don’t be afraid to take them off when necessary to prevent damage.

Invisalign aligners come in a set; you will wear the first set for two weeks and then switch to the next set. 

At first, you’ll notice the tightness of the aligners on your teeth, but over time, as your teeth begin to adjust, the Invisalign aligners loosen.

When you notice your aligners are loose, don’t change them early; be sure to use them up to two weeks before changing.

Switching too soon or on a different date than prescribed can affect your treatment plan, and you don’t want that.

Can Invisalign ruin your teeth?

Yes, Invisalign is helpful, but it can also cause harm. It can cause root damage by killing some nerves in the teeth. How did this happen? 

There is a cellular response that occurs between the gum and the tissues surrounding the roots. Trays around your roots can get in the way of your root end.

This root damage can also lead to loss of enough gum and root canal problems. 

You should know that root damage is one of the possible side effects of Invisalign; there may be other side effects.

You can minimize this effect of Invisalign by taking good care of your aligners, visiting your dentist for routine checkups, and making oral hygiene one of your top priorities.

What can’t Invisalign correct?

I guess you’ll also want to know what Invisalign can’t fix; Well, I’m here to put you through that too. Invisalign can fix many dental problems such as:

  • Crooked teeth
  • Small gaps between teeth
  • Crowded teeth (allows better space between teeth)
  • Normal overbite and underbite
  • Open bite (when the upper and lower teeth do not meet)

While Invisalign can fix many dental problems, there are also problems it can’t. They include:

  • Rotated teeth: Your teeth can rotate in their sockets if there is crowding. Although Invisalign can correct rotated teeth, when a tooth rotates more than 20 degrees, Invisalign will not work.
  • Large spaces: Invisalign corrects small spaces between the teeth, but there is no correction when the opening is large.
  • Overbite and underbite: When the upper teeth protrude over the lower teeth, it is called an overbite, while underbite occurs when the lower teeth protrude from the upper teeth. In severe cases of both, Invisalign may not work. The use of metal braces is needed to solve this problem.
  • Intrusion and Extrusion – As with overbite and underbite, Invisalign cannot fix this problem. Again, the use of traditional braces is required to fix this.

Apart from all these cases, if you have very short teeth, it will be difficult for you to use Invisalign as the aligners will not grip well.

Who is not eligible for Invisalign?

Before you go to put on your aligners, are you prepared for it? Not everyone is eligible for this, you know. When you have cavities or gum problems, treat them before going for Invisalign treatment. 

Again, if you have oral conditions that require surgery, then you may not be a candidate for Invisalign.

Patients who have TMJ disorders, bridges, and even dental implants are not suitable for Invisalign treatment. If you have smaller teeth or they are misshapen or eroded, this treatment is a no-no for you. 

You have to fix these little or big problems before you can settle for Invisalign treatment.

Age is not an obstacle for candidates who need Invisalign, technology has improved and people of all ages can have Invisalign aligners. That sounds wonderful for teens, adults, and everyone.

How much does Invisalign usually cost?

There are many factors to consider before paying for Invisalign. Factors like:

  • Your location: Consider where you live and the average Invisalign prices in your city.
  • Your dentist: Consider your dentist’s working time.
  • Insurance plan: You should also consider how much your insurance plan will cover and can help.
  • Your oral health: Consider what your oral health needs and how much work needs to be done to correct it.

Invisalign treatment can cost between $3,000 and $7,000. According to the CGD (Consumer Guide to Dentistry), the national average for Invisalign is $3,000 to $5,000. 

Does insurance cover Invisalign?

You can ask if insurance covers Invisalign. Okay, yes. Insurance covers Invisalign, but not all insurance plans cover it, some do and some don’t.

Some companies that cover Invisalign come with limitations and restrictions. You are not fully covered on Invisalign by your insurance. Insurance plans that cover Invisalign costs may only pay up to a certain amount or a certain percentage. Either way, it doesn’t fully cover the cost of Invisalign. 

For Invisalign insurance, the cost of Invisalign is covered when the insurance plan is expensive or more comprehensive. A simple or basic insurance plan cannot cover the cost of Invisalign. Although in some cases the entire cost of Invisalign is covered, these cases are very rare but expensive. 

When shopping for Invisalign dental insurance, you should consider the following factors to help you get the right plans. They include:

  • Age Limits – Most Invisalign dental insurance has age limits for covering part of the cost of Invisalign. Some age-limited plans may cover Invisalign costs for people up to age 19, but not for an adult. Please be aware of these age limit plans before purchasing your dental insurance.
  • Lifetime maximum – Many plans have a maximum amount of the cost of Invisalign that they can cover during your lifetime. Their limits are usually between $1,000 and $3,000; depending on the plan, the limit may be lower or higher. For example, $2,500 of a $5,000 Invisalign cost may be covered by your Invisalign insurance plan, with you paying the rest.
  • Waiting Period – Some plans have waiting periods before you can use Invisalign dental insurance benefits. These waiting periods can be as long as a few months or a year. You have to be aware of this waiting period to avoid prolonging your treatment.
  • In-Network and Out-of-Network: Most dental plans have a dentist who makes sure you follow the plan as directed; they are the network dentist. They make sure you receive coverage for dental plans as stated in the insurance plan. If you don’t want to use an in-network dentist, you can always find an out-of-network dentist. The out-of-network dentist has limited dental insurance Invisalign plans. Choosing them means you have to find other means of managing your Invisalign dental cost.

What insurance plans cover Invisalign?

You can’t just jump into any plan and expect it to cover Invisalign. The question: Does insurance cover Invisalign has been answered? Now, you need to look into insurance plans that cover the costs of Invisalign.

The insurance plan that covers Invisalign is orthodontic and dental coverage. Invisalign insurance depends on the companies involved.

Some companies that cover the cost of Invisalign include:

  • Cigna
  • Delta Dental
  • Humana
  • Aetna
  • EE. UU. Dental

Advantages of Invisalign compared to traditional braces

Besides Invisalign, another form of dental treatment that I didn’t mention is traditional braces. Like Invisalign, they are aligners with slight advantages and disadvantages compared to Invisalign.

Below are the advantages of Invisalign over traditional braces:

  • Invisalign are transparent braces; most people won’t notice it when wearing them, unlike traditional braces which can be noticed.
  • The movement of your teeth is clearer and more precise with Invisalign than with traditional braces.
  • With Invisalign, you can easily maintain good oral health. You can easily remove your aligners when you want to eat, brush and floss.
  • Invisalign aligners do not irritate your teeth or gums, unlike traditional braces. They are considered much more comfortable than traditional braces.
  • Traditional braces require frequent visits to the dentist to change the arch and make adjustments, but with Invisalign, there are fewer check-ups and treatment time is usually shorter. It saves you time.

Ways to save on Invisalign

The cost of Invisalign is quite expensive, although it builds confidence in your smile. There are ways to minimize this cost or spread it out. These include:

Health Savings Account (HSA):

Having an HSA allows you to take a small amount of money out of your salary and keep it separate to use only for health care costs.

An HSA is different from an FSA, the money in an HSA can roll over into a new year, but an HSA requires you to have a high deductible insurance plan before you use it. 

As of 2018, the maximum amount that can be deposited into an HSA account for an individual is $3,450, but for a family it is $6,850.

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

Like the HSA, the FSA also allows you to set aside a small amount of money to spend solely on health care costs.

The FSA can only be offered by an employer as part of an employee’s benefits package. 

In 2018, an individual can have up to $2,659 in an FSA per employer. Unlike the HSA, FSA funds do not roll over to the next year, so you must spend them before the end of the year.

Schools of Dentistry

You can check out dental or orthodontic schools in your area that offer discounts for their services.

When you sign up for treatment from dental schools, it means that you are allowing the students there to learn by doing their dental work. 

Any good dental school will primarily ensure that these dental procedures are strictly supervised by the board certified dentist to avoid mistakes.

Children’s Health Insurance Program and Medicaid (CHIP)

The government provides insurance for children and adolescents. This insurance may cover your cost of Invisalign.

If your child is about to undergo or requires Invisalign aligners and you do not have sufficient funds, please apply for government support programs to help pay for full or partial payment.

Payment plan

Today, many dentists can offer you monthly payments or installment plans so you don’t necessarily have to pay the full amount all at once.

After finding out how much your Invisalign costs, you can also ask your dentist if they offer any payment plans or accept installment payments.

care credit

This is a great way to take care of Invisalign costs for people who have a hard time meeting the actual cost.

Even for those who have an Invisalign insurance plan, this can save you a lot of money. 

Care credit is a credit card that people can use for dental and medical expenses. It is accepted by most dental practices and can help reduce the delay in dental treatment.

Frequently asked questions about whether insurance covers Invisalign

Is Invisalign free with insurance?

No, Invisalign is not free with insurance, but most insurances cover half or part of the cost.

Is Invisalign cheaper than braces?

Invisalign can cost between $3,000 and $10,000, while traditional braces can cost between $3,000 and $8,000.

How much does dental insurance cover Invisalign treatment?

It depends on your insurance plan. Some plans may cover 50%; others may cover a particular amount. Your plan benefits can tell you how much you can expect to receive.

Is Invisalign obvious when you smile?

Invisalign is nearly invisible, so it’s barely noticeable when you smile.

Is commitment a problem for Invisalign?

Yes, you have to be committed and follow the instructions your dentist gave you to get a good result.

Does age matter for Invisalign treatment?

No, age no longer matters for Invisalign treatment.

Will Invisalign affect the way I speak?

Yes, it may affect the way you speak for the first few days, but as you adjust to treatment, your speech returns to normal. 

conclusion

Invisalign aligners are very expensive and most people cannot afford them. This set of aligners is invisible, easy to take off and put on. 

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign mostly doesn’t send you back to your dentist for checkups or repairs. Does insurance cover Invisalign? Yes, insurance covers the cost of Invisalign because it is very expensive. 

Reference

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