Changing dental insurance during braces

A note on dental insurance. Your new job offers orthodontic benefits! The American Dental Association also recommends that you ask a lot of questions either to a plan customer service representative or to your employer’s benefits department before changing your dental plan. Some dental plans require a waiting period before they will pay for braces.

They might cover cleanings and general dentistry immediately, but sometimes will have you wait as long as years before orthodontic coverage is active.

Be sure to ask you dental plan if there is a waiting period for braces. Active treatment” means the orthodontist has started to make your teeth move by putting bands between your teeth , or by putting an orthodontic appliance (such as braces ) in your mouth. If so, this is called “Orthodontics in Progress. DHMO plan takes effect. But orthodontia is pricey, and finding dental insurance that covers braces for adults can be challenging.

Nonetheless, more plans are now offering orthodontic benefits for adults. Will plan switches affect my orthodontic benefits ?

If your benefits cover two-phase orthodontic treatment , retainers are usually covered after each phase. Typically, one set of post-treatment retainers (for orthodontic purposes) is covered in a lifetime. We will be out of the year waiting period in about another months, in October. Alternatives to braces. One alternative to metal braces is Invisalign.

This option tends to be slightly more expensive than traditional braces , but some dental insurance policies will cover a portion of the cost. While many dental insurance plans include coverage for braces , be aware of any additional costs that may be a part of your treatment. Once your orthodontic treatment begins, closely follow the terms of your plan so that you can take advantage of any discounts your plan qualifies you for.

Orthodontic benefits are paid over the course of the treatment for the patient and normally have a lifetime maximum or co-pay per patient. The normal time for braces is months. In that case, your benefit would be paid over months. Only of insurance companies pay your orthodontic benefit in full in one payment. How to Use Your Dental Benefits.

Members Get the most from your plan;. All plans of insurance are marketed by Dental Select, an insurance agency, and. The orthodontic insurance benefit is usually a one-time benefit per person on your plan.

Contact our office if you have questions about dual coverage with another insurance as well. Orthodontic insurance benefits are applicable to either Invisalign clear aligners or traditional braces and the coverage amount is the same for either. While members may receive their dental care from any licensed dentist (no referrals are necessary), receiving dental care from one of the in-network dentists provides significant savings and less paperwork for the member.

In-network dentists are reimbursed directly by BCBSNM,. Life is all about change and we never know when that happens for us. Several factors can affect the cost of orthodontic care, including the recommended type of treatment and whether or not you have dental insurance.

Dental insurance may help manage orthodontic care costs. Many Humana dental insurance plans offer discounts on adult and child orthodontic care. Depending on the plan you choose, you may have a range of discounts on the cost of braces and other devices. Knowing all these, having an orthodontic care is indeed costly. However, since the appearance of your teeth is extremely important, orthodontic services are deemed vital.

You would worry less about spending on your orthodontic care if you have an orthodontic insurance. Getting braces can be a daunting experience. But it doesn’t have to be scary.

With the right information and advice, dental braces can be a walk in the park. Image by Jen Durfey on Flickr.