Jaw Surgery Forums » General Chat Section

Did insurance cover the cost of your braces?

(4 posts)
  • Started 6 months ago by sarasea
  • Latest reply from kiaraben

  1. sarasea
    Member

    Hi everyone. Has anyone here in the US had their braces covered by insurance? My insurance only covers children until age 18 up to $1500, so I don’t qualify. I don’t have my braces on yet as I’m still in the process of securing a surgeon. I knew I would need surgery, so it wasn’t a case of having the braces put on first and then the orthodontist discovered braces wouldn’t be enough. I actively sought out a surgeon first and then saw an orthodontist.

    My insurance approved the surgery through a pre-certification with one surgeon (I ended up not going with him and am seeking a new surgeon), so they must agree that I need the surgery. Is there any way they can be convinced to cover the cost of the braces as well? The braces are a necessary element of the surgery – couldn’t my surgeon or orthodontist argue this? Has anyone here ever tried it?

    I know my dental and medical insurance are two different things, but I can’t see how it would hurt to try this. If I didn’t need the surgery, I wouldn’t be getting the braces – my teeth are virtually straight. The braces are solely for the purpose of correcting my open bite through surgery. And they are so expensive (over $6000 in my case). Anyone have any thoughts? I don’t know how all this insurance stuff works and I’m just learning how complicated it really is.

    Posted 6 months ago #

  2. NettyC
    Member

    I was already very happy with my smile too and only embarked on my journey to correct my cross-bite. My medical insurance wouldn't cover orthodontic care. It covered some costs of x-rays and models my surgeon specifically requested through my ortho, but my medical specifically would not cover anything that is categorized as orthodontic care. If this turns out to be the case for you, you might try paying the orthodontic costs through a flexible spending account for tax savings.

    The surgeon does the jaw work, but that's only one part of it. Even though your teeth are straight, an orthodontist has to make sure your teeth are positioned so that your top and bottom teeth match properly after your bite is corrected. There is value in getting the braces, it isn't just a matter of sticking metal hooks on your teeth to hold your jaws together for surgery. Good luck.

    Double jaw surgery for crossbite and TMJ.
    Posted 6 months ago #

  3. sarasea
    Member

    Thanks, NettyC. I still plan on getting the braces whether insurance pays for them or not. I have already saved the money, it's just going to be painful to part with so much of it at once. But I'll do what it takes to get my bite fixed.

    Posted 6 months ago #

  4. kiaraben
    Member

    Yes, Orthodontics insurance is available which can covers the cost of your braces. Also this insurance can covers the cost of several dental treatments including teeth cleaning, root canal treatment, routine and non routine dental checkups etc.

    Posted 1 month ago #

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