Best Dental Insurance for Braces

The American Association of Orthodontists estimates that almost 4 million youngsters in the United States receive orthodontic treatment each year. And it’s not just kids; adults account for one-third of all orthodontic patients. Braces can cost anywhere from $6,000 to $10,000, depending on the severity of the situation.

For families or individuals, dental insurance, specifically orthodontics coverage, can help offset the high expense of orthodontic treatment. Based on coverage, limitations, waiting periods, cost, and more, we reviewed top orthodontic insurance carriers to compile this list of the best dental insurance for braces.

The 5 Best Dental Insurance for Braces in 2021

1. Delta Dental

Delta Dental offers a variety of orthodontic plan options with differing levels of coverage at various pricing points to fit a variety of requirements and budgets. Basic orthodontic coverage is available at a modest cost, as well as more comprehensive coverage at a premium cost. It is the country’s largest dental insurance provider.

Delta Dental is one of the largest and most well-known names in dental insurance for braces, with a market capitalization more than twice that of the next largest insurer. You can select between the DeltaCare USA savings plan and the Delta Dental PPO with Delta Dental. You may be able to enroll in Delta Dental through your state’s health insurance exchange or healthcare.gov, depending on your location. Whatever plan you choose, at least a percentage of your orthodontic treatment will be covered.

Pre-orthodontic treatment, planning, x-rays, orthodontic treatment, and retainers are all covered depending on your specific DeltaCare USA plan. In either scenario, you can consult with your orthodontist to acquire an estimate of the overall treatment cost before you start, taking into account all reductions and Delta Dental coverage.

DeltaCare USA costs $25 a month for a family of four in Southern California, according to quotes. The Basic Plan costs $112 per month, while the Premium Plan costs $213 per month. A $10 setup charge was required for all plans. There is no waiting period for DeltaCare USA. A $50 per person deductible and a $1,500 annual cap per person are included in the most expensive PPO plan. After six months, there is a 50% coinsurance for orthodontics under that plan.

2. Aetna

Aetna is a major health and dental insurance company that was acquired by CVS in November 2018. Aetna is managed by CVS Health, a division of CVS, a nationwide drug store corporation. AM Best has given it an A grade, indicating that it has a strong financial foundation and the ability to pay for consumer claims. It offers orthodontics for a low monthly cost of less than $12. While not all dental insurance includes orthodontics, Aetna provides various plans that do, including the DMO program, which includes orthodontics treatment coverage or discounts.

Orthodontics is sometimes covered by Aetna dental policies. It’s crucial to check your specialized orthodontic treatment coverage in addition to standard dental coverage, whether you receive a plan via work or on your own. Customers can also call the hotline on their ID cards to find out if their plan covers orthodontic requirements. Through Aetna, individuals can buy dental insurance plans or a dental discount card. The Aetna DMO plan covers coverage for in-network orthodontists with no referral required, though it is not available in all areas.

A Dental Discount card, which costs $15.95 per month and includes discounts for orthodontics of up to 33% depending on where you reside, is available for $15.95 per month. However, Invisalign does not offer the same discounts as traditional braces.

3. Dentalplans.com

Low-cost dental discount plans can lower the cost of orthodontic treatment by up to 33%. Numerous comprehensive dental plan alternatives are available, as well as the ability to compare multiple discount plans and dental insurance policies using one simple form.

DentalPlans.com is a comparison site that allows you to compare multiple insurance and discount plan providers in one place. It includes savings options from Aetna, Humana, and Delta Dental, among other big insurers and companies. DentalPlans.com does not have financial strength ratings because it is not an insurance business in its own right.

When comparing discount options for families in Southern California, eight different insurance and savings schemes appeared. Savings plans cost between $180 and $200 each year. The cost of insurance ranged from $30 to $108 a month. Each plan has its own set of benefits and limitations. Orthodontic coverage was provided in three of the discount plans.

Aetna Vital Dental Savings ($139.95 per year), Aetna Vital Dental Savings Plus Rx ($154.95 per year), and United Concordia’s iDental Discount Plan ($124.95 per year) are the cheapest plans with orthodontic coverage.

4. Cigna

Cigna is a significant health and dental insurer with A ratings from AM Best and operations in most states. J.D. Power gives its health plans an average customer satisfaction rating. When looking for a quote, Cigna offers three different dental plans for a Southern California family. Only the highest level, Cigna Dental 1500, includes orthodontist coverage. The monthly premium for a family of four came to $151. Orthodontic treatment is not covered by the other two plans.

According to Cigna, the average user who picks an in-network provider will pay $3,155 for orthodontic treatment, versus $6,435 for someone who does not have coverage. For dental treatment, Cigna Dental 1500 offers a $50 individual deductible and a $150 family deductible per calendar year.

Both in-network and out-of-network providers have a $ 50-lifetime deductible and a $ 1,000-lifetime maximum benefit for orthodontic treatment. There is a 12-month waiting period for this coverage. You pay half of the agreed amount if you stay in-network. Even if you use all the maximum lifetime benefits, you’ll save money because contractual fees are less expensive than the list price of a therapy.

5. Humana

Humana is a Louisville, Kentucky-based insurance company. AM Best gives it an A- financial strength rating. Humana dental insurance policies do not typically cover orthodontic treatment, although they do include savings for orthodontics.

Orthodontic coverage was confined to a discount plan in the plans we looked at, which included the Dental Preventive Plus PPO, Dental Loyalty Plus PPO, and Complete Dental PPO. Orthodontic coverage payments are specifically excluded. This implies that regardless of your deductible or yearly maximum, you won’t receive insurance funds for braces or similar treatment—all coverage is in the form of a discount.

There were four dental plans available in a quote for a family of four, two of which included orthodontics discounts. The cost of a PPO plan with orthodontic discounts was $187.96 or $194.99 per month, depending on the amount of coverage. Deductibles and limitations do not apply to orthodontic treatment because it is a discount rather than a covered service like dental work under these plans. Orthodontic discounts are immediately available. A $35 enrollment charge applies to all plans.