Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?

You’ve likely seen ads for clear plastic aligners that can straighten teeth. Brands like Invisalign promise a more convenient and discreet alternative to old-school metal braces. But treatment often spans years and costs several thousand dollars, even with insurance. This article answers the key question Does Insurance Cover Invisalign? and steps to make treatment affordable.

Understanding Invisalign Aligners

Invisalign debuted in 1998 as the first “invisible” braces. Here’s how the popular system works:

An Alternative to Traditional Braces

Custom-made BPA-free plastic aligners are worn in a series to shift teeth’ position gradually. Each set is uniquely precision-fit to your mouth. New aligners ship every 1-2 weeks, moving teeth incrementally in typically 5-15 degree rotations or 1⁄4 mm movements at a time. This gentler kinetic approach reduces pain/damage risks compared to standard braces. Aligners easily pop in/out when eating or brushing, too, unlike fixed wires. Later in treatment, some patients switch to thin clear wires and retainers to finish aligning trickier teeth and prevent regressing.

Typical Cost Without Insurance

Invisalign pricing varies substantially based on each patient’s degree of teeth misalignment and the prescribed total length of treatment. Mild cases like minor crookedness or small gaps may span only 10-12 months and cost $3,000-$3,500 without insurance. Moderate alignment issues like crowded, protruding, or widely gapped teeth often run for 18-24 months for $4,000-$5,500. More severe overbites, crossbites, or widely distorted positions require longer treatments of 2+ years, exceeding $6,000-$8,000 in total or beyond $9,000 for more extreme malocclusions.

Does Health Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Given the primarily aesthetic rather than medically urgent purpose of teeth straightening for flawless smiles, insurance coverage proves minimal except for certain higher needs orthodontic cases.

Considered a Cosmetic Procedure

Major medical and dental insurance plans predominantly label Invisalign as a cosmetic dentistry procedure versus a healthcare necessity since perfectly aligned teeth rarely directly prevent pain, tooth decay, chewing impairment, or detrimental jaw joint issues. The aligners correct mildly to moderately crowded, gapped, or crooked teeth substantially for confidence and appearance benefits. Still, insurers argue flawless smiles classify as luxury wants rather than urgent needs in most non-severe instances. Therefore, coverage denials remain commonplace except for a small subset of orthodontic scenarios.

Does Insurance Cover Invisalign? Claiming Some Benefits

In very limited situations where severe enough misalignment impairs critical oral functions like speech, eating, or breathing, some dental insurance plans provide partial Invisalign benefits. Straightening treatments for under 18-year-olds still developing also sometimes qualify for insurance assistance. Additionally, certain employers or Medicaid packages offer minor Invisalign coverage allotments depending on state regulations, perhaps allocating $1,500-$2,000 maximums across total treatment lengths. Given inconsistencies, however, verify details with your insurance provider and orthodontist about percentages covered for your unique teeth alignment and age specifics. Submit all claims meticulously to extract the maximum possible benefits within the noted constraints.

Budgeting and Financing Invisalign

If uninsured or insurance declines most coverage, Invisalign’s non-trivial costs require savvy financial planning through two main avenues:

Invisalign Payment Plans

Rather than paying $4,000+ out-of-pocket completely upfront, Invisalign allows enrollments in monthly or annual payment plans, breaking costs into smaller installments that are often interest-free. Payment timelines align to treatment length so shorter cases of just 10-12 months accumulate substantially less financing costs overall versus longer 2-3 year plans still requiring payments after alignment finishes. Invisalign also lets you pause plans if losing work.

Dental Savings Plans

Another expanding option to curb costs is joining discounted dental savings plans granting access to fixed lowered orthodontic rates from sizable dentist networks up to 50% cheaper. Larger names like SavvyDental, Careington, and DentalPlans charge around $100-$150 yearly for member savings between 20-60% on Invisalign specifically. Patients save nearly $1,500 per year on average across the multi-year treatments. Compare cosmetic dentistry plan options against monthly/annual costs to maximize recurring benefits.

Alternatives to Invisalign Aligners

If Invisalign remains prohibitively expensive even after insurance and payment plans, other aligner and braces options do exist in more budget-friendly brackets:

Traditional Metal Braces

Costing $3,000-$7,500+ on average depending on adjustment length and hardware needs, conventional metal braces with ceramic variants still reign as the most affordable straightening solution over Invisalign, frequently 20-30%+ cheaper. Results take longer to appear, though, between 2 and 3 years for completion. Diet, lifestyle, and appearance comfort changes feel more drastic than wearing visible wires. But cost-savings stand substantial.

ClearCorrect Aligners

As Invisalign’s closest value-focused aligner rivals, ClearCorrect’s braces utilize similar custom mold-to-teeth fitting precision for higher case complexities at almost 20% average discounts from Invisalign standard rates. Total treatment prices with ClearCorrect average around $4,500 without any insurance coverage factored in. Materials and clinic visit schedules closely mirror Invisalign, constituting the most seamless transition among lower-priced aligner options.

So, Does Insurance Cover Invisalign?

Without robust dental insurance or health coverage approval tied to severe orthodontic needs, Invisalign’s multi-year clear aligner treatments largely cost patients $4,000-$9,000+ entirely out-of-pocket. But monthly payment plans spread costs over time, plus third-party dental savings plans accessing fixed reduced rates aim to bridge wider coverage gaps if shopping smartly. Weigh all benefits/constraints to determine the best personal path matching budgets and desired outcomes. Conventional braces or ClearCorrect still present more economical aligner options for tighter budgets, albeit with appearance compromises. Discuss insurance specifics, pricing, and financing openly with orthodontists first before investing in treatment. Achieving affordable, straight teeth requires planning but brings confidence worth the effort!

 Disclaimers: The information in this article is intended for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as medical or financial advice. While we strive to provide accurate information, there may be occasional errors or outdated content. Readers are encouraged to consult with a licensed orthodontist for personalized treatment recommendations and a qualified financial professional for guidance on individual financial planning. Additionally, costs and insurance coverage details for Invisalign and alternative treatments can vary depending on location, specific circumstances, and individual providers. Confirming details and seeking professional advice for your situation is crucial.