Everyone loves a good discount. This is especially gratifying when it’s applied to something like orthodontic treatment, which can transform your smile and your life for the better. If you’re curious about whether or not insurance covers braces here in Dallas, we’ve got some good news for you at Ragan Orthodontics.
Uncovering Your Coverage
Orthodontic insurance can offer a pretty dynamic range of coverage options, depending entirely on who your insurance provider is and what your plan includes. While it’s true that their parameters can vary a good amount, here are a few common aspects of many plans—which may even include some unexpected options:
- Initial Exams and Diagnostic Support: Any basic orthodontic insurance coverage will most likely include consultations, X-rays, and diagnostic procedures with Dr. Ragan needed to start treatment.
- Braces and Aligners: Traditional braces, special options like WildSmiles Braces, and clear aligners are often partially covered, usually up to 50% or possibly more in some cases.
- Additional Appliances and Tools: Our practice offers DentalMonitoring, many varieties of orthodontic technology, and Carrier Motion Appliances. You’ll need to verify if these are covered under your plan.
- Retainers Post-Treatment: Retainers are also a part of most comprehensive coverage, since it’s a very important aspect of ongoing treatment.
- Surgical Procedures: Some plans may also partially cover procedures like jaw realignment surgeries when deemed medically necessary. We may suggest this manner of procedure prior to giving you an orthodontic appliance.
- Early Intervention Treatments: For our youngest patients, certain plans include coverage for appliances like palate expanders and space maintainers.
Myths About Orthodontic Insurance
Our Ragan Orthodontics team has heard some interesting ideas about orthodontic insurance, which are sometimes fueled by misinformation. Needless to say, we want our patients to have access to all the facts—so let’s clear a few things up.
- Myth: All Dental Insurance Plans Include Orthodontic Coverage
Fact: Orthodontic coverage is not automatically included in most dental insurance plans. It often requires an additional rider or a separate orthodontic plan. It’s a good idea to check this out before visiting our office just to confirm you’ve opted into orthodontic coverage in addition to your dental plan.
- Myth: You Can Use Orthodontic Insurance Immediately After Enrollment
Fact: Unfortunately, there isn’t much instant gratification with insurance. Many plans have waiting periods of 6 to 12 months before orthodontic benefits become available. Confirm timing details with your provider.
- Myth: Orthodontic Insurance is Only for Kids
Fact: While many plans do focus on children, more and more offer coverage for adult orthodontics these days since it’s become increasingly common over the past couple of decades. However, benefits and coverage levels may still differ based on age.
- Myth: Lifetime Maximum Benefits Reset Every Year
Fact: Unlike annual dental benefits, orthodontic insurance typically has a one-time lifetime maximum for each covered individual, which does not renew annually.
Preliminary Help
Before you ever start orthodontic treatment, our office team will make sure a few initial steps are covered out of courtesy:
- Insurance Verification: Be sure to bring your insurance card(s) to your consultation, and we’ll verify your benefits before treatment begins. Having this information up-to-date will make your claims process much easier.
- Simplified Claims Management: We administer the process of filing claims and paperwork on your behalf, saving you a lot of time and effort.
- Transparent Pricing: Once you’ve had your consultation with Dr. Ragan, we build you an individual treatment plan including an extremely detailed cost breakdown, so you know precisely what to expect financially.
Custom Financial Solutions
Our practice pays close attention to the financial concerns of our patients because we know that money can cause a lot of stress when answers aren’t provided or solutions aren’t made clear.
For this reason, Ragan Orthodontics bears some flexible payment options to help you, even if you don’t have insurance coverage:
- Interest-Free Financing: Spread out your payments over time without added interest, ensuring affordability.
- Upfront Discounts: Save when you choose to pay your treatment costs in full at the start of care.
- Payment Options: We take Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover cards in our practice.
- Monthly Payments: You can opt for automatic monthly payments via ACH (Automated Clearing House) withdrawals for seamless budgeting.
- HSA/FSA: Pre-tax dollars from your HSA (Health Savings Account) or FSA (Flexible Spending Account) are great for covering treatment expenses.
Making Dreams Possible
Here in Dallas, we collaborate closely with hundreds of families to achieve incredible new smiles that last a lifetime. At our offices in Walnut Hill and Inwood, these transformations begin every single day—and we’d love to help you start the process of your very own.