If you take your kids regularly to the dentist, there is a good chance that at some point you may be referred to an orthodontist for more care. Or perhaps your dentist has recommended that you, as an adult, could benefit from braces or a retainer. You want a healthy smile for yourself and your children, but orthodontic care can be very expensive and you might not have extra money set aside for orthodontic work. Luckily, there are different plans and opportunities to help make necessary orthodontic work within reach!
Options For Affordable Orthodontic Care In Idaho Falls
The three main ways that people use to pay for braces are:
- Dental Insurance policies
- Payment programs through Idaho Falls Orthodontic offices
- Cash
Dental Insurance
If you have dental insurance, there is a good chance that it also covers some orthodontic care. Most dental plans do cover a certain amount for braces or retainers. You may have to pay for some out of pocket or pay into your deductible for orthodontic care. However, if your insurance pays for most of the appliance costs, that is a big help. Insurance will often cover just basic appliances, so your coverage may not pay for more expensive treatments such as Invisalign. If you are relying on just insurance to pay for braces, your kids may be wearing the metal braces for a while. To find out exactly what is covered, you will need to call your insurance company and/or visit the website and ask for a breakdown of coverage, potential out of pocket costs, and deductible information. Depending on your child’s Idaho Falls orthodontic needs, if the treatment is considered a medical necessity, the braces could be paid for in full. So find out from your Idaho Falls orthodontist what is needed, then give your insurance provider a call. Keep in mind, many insurance companies will not cover braces or other orthodontic work for adults. Unless it is deemed medically necessary, adult orthodontic treatment is generally not covered for most adults. If you do not currently carry a dental insurance policy, now would be a good time to do some research on them. Many people assume that dental insurance is as expensive as health insurance, but this isn’t always the case. Many insurance companies have very low and competitive rates for dental insurance. It’s probably not as expensive as you might think. Take an afternoon and call a handful of companies to see what you could qualify for that may be in your budget. You may be surprised at what kind of dental insurance you can afford. Orthodontists in Idaho Falls usually will accept most kinds of dental insurance.
Payment Programs
If you do not have or cannot get a dental insurance plan, take heart. Many Idaho Falls orthodontists have an in-office payment plan that could work for your situation. Some orthodontists will refer you to a finance company that their office works directly with that can spread out payments, making them lower payments over time. Some may have interest involved, others may not. Some orthodontists will set up a plan for you directly, where they automatically bill your debit or credit card at a predetermined date each month until the care plan has ended. This is a good option for adult patients who cannot be covered by insurance for orthodontics, or for patients who really want to try Invisalign, which most insurance companies will not cover. Orthodontists like the Invisalign treatment plan, so many are willing to go the extra mile to help patients be able to pay for it over time. If you or your child needs braces, many orthodontists in Idaho Falls will be more than willing to help you find a way to pay for it that works with your budget and time frame. Simply ask about their in-office payment plans and find out if it will work for you.
Cash
If you can pay cash, many Idaho Falls orthodontist offices would be in favor of discounting the treatment plan cost if a patient is able and willing to pay the cost upfront. Insurance works by setting an amount they will pay to the provider for the cost of treatment. It may be less than the orthodontist would charge upfront. If the orthodontist can get a payment in full for a treatment plan, they can give a discount from their regular price, but still make more than insurance would payout for the plan. So this means the patient wins and the orthodontist wins as well. It is a favorable arrangement, so typically many orthodontists are willing to do this. Again, this is a good option for adult patients not covered under their dental insurance policy, or for patients that want to use a product like Invisalign. So if you know that your child (or yourself) will need braces in the future, you can ask what the cash rate would be, then give yourself some time to put together the cash amount. This doesn’t work for everyone, but it may work for you. Again, have a discussion with your Idaho Falls orthodontist is this would be ideal for you.
Lastly, if you or your dependents have access to a Medicaid dental plan, you may be able to get braces for your children under the Medicaid benefits. You will need to call your Medicaid benefits office to find out details, and you will need to find out if your Idaho Falls orthodontist accepts Medicaid, but this is also a possibility to help cover the costs of orthodontic treatment.
Your orthodontist in Idaho Falls wants you and your children to have a healthy smile for life. It is in everyone’s best interest to be confident in their smile and to have lifelong dental health. Your Idaho Falls orthodontist wants to be able to offer this to you and your kids, so the best thing to do if you are worried about orthodontic costs is to have a discussion about it. Set up an initial appointment and evaluation and simply ask about payment and coverage options. Randall Orthodontics in Idaho Falls offers a free one on one consultation with Dr. Randall to identify what kind of care you need and the many options to be able to pay for it!
