A healthy lifestyle requires routine dental visits; skipping these appointments can eventually result in significant health issues.
As such, delaying treatment not only increases the risk of the severity of diseases like cavities and gum disease, but it also has the potential to have adverse effects on other aspects of your health.
For individuals and families interested in getting braces, dental insurance plans that include orthodontics are a worthwhile investment. Dental insurance policies in Texas are provided by private businesses and are less regulated than ACA (Affordable Care Act) -compliant plans.
This means that to ensure coverage for the dentists, specialists, and treatments you require, you should carefully weigh the costs and benefits of each plan before subscribing.
If you’re looking for individual or family coverage, you’ll be relieved to discover that costs are lower than anticipated. This article will explore the best dental insurance in Texas for braces, the plans they offer, the typical premium and deductible expenses, copays, and more.
What is Dental Insurance?
Dental insurance covers problems with the teeth and gums and routine maintenance procedures like yearly cleanings. Some operations are not covered in some plans, and this range from aesthetic ones like teeth whitening and crowns are not.
Dental Insurance plans include a cap on how much they’ll pay for your coverage in a particular year, called the annual coverage limit. Coverage waiting periods could be in place for dental work beyond basic cleanings.
Types of Dental Insurance
- Dental Preferred Provider Organization (DPPO) plans provide a network of providers, but you can pay more to see a dentist not in the network.
- Dental Health Maintenance Organizations (DHMOs) plans often don’t have an annual cap or deductible, but you’ll need to select your primary care dentist from the list of participating dentists.
- Plans with a fee-for-service or indemnity structure don’t rely on a network, giving you access to any dentist you want. You will have to pay out-of-pocket expenses up until the yearly deductible is met with these policies, which are frequently more expensive.
Cost of Braces With and Without Dental Insurance in Texas?
If you have dental insurance, the cost of your braces depends on how much the plan covers. Several of these plans offer a substantial 50% coverage for orthodontic treatment; however, annual and lifetime caps exist.
Considering the treatment range, the average cost of braces without dental insurance ranges from $2,815 to $5,605, according to the American Dental Association’s 2020 Survey of Dental Fees report. In general, adults who use braces spend more money than kids.
Best Dental Insurance for Braces in Texas
Many companies offer dental insurance in Texas, but we’ve narrowed the field to the top four after examining the availability and variety of plans, benefits, network size, and waiting periods:
- UnitedHealthcare;
For individuals and families, UnitedHealthcare offers affordable and complete dental insurance options. Retainers are included in many of United’s plans, and deductibles start at just $50. Over 85,000 dental offices in the United States are part of its extensive network of dental specialists.
This time spent looking for a dentist who accepts your insurance will be reduced to enjoy the financial advantages of a DHMO. The monthly premiums for United’s various tier-based insurance plans start at about $80. This may cost slightly more than other plan providers, but the added expense is well justified, given the comprehensive list of covered services.
- Cigna;
Cigna provides three distinct dental insurance; the only tier covering orthodontists is Cigna Dental 1500, the highest level.
According to Cigna, the typical patient will spend around $3,155 on orthodontic treatment when they select an in-network practitioner versus $6,435 for a patient without insurance.
For dental care, Cigna Dental 1500 has a $50 per person and $150 per-family deductible each calendar year. Orthodontic treatment has a $ 50-lifetime deductible and a $1,000 lifetime maximum benefit for both in-network and out-of-network providers, with a 12-month waiting period for this insurance.
- Guardian Direct;
Guardian Direct offers a straightforward quote process that lets you rapidly evaluate your coverage options in as little as 30 seconds. You can view four coverage options, price ranges, and information on what is covered by visiting its website and entering your zip code.
DHMO plans start as low as $10 per month, and its most economical basic plans have no waiting periods. You’ll need a more expensive plan to acquire more coverage beyond preventative care but Guardian Direct allows you to browse comprehensive plan alternatives without waiting days for a representative to contact you or submitting any sensitive personal information.
- Physicians Mutual;
Physicians Mutual should be your first port of call if you seek Texas’s most economical dental insurance. If you’re under 50, you may get one of its generous PPO dental insurance packages with a $25 monthly premium and no deductible.
Its plans cover 350 popular dental operations, including routine examinations, tooth extractions, and crowns. You’ll have the chance to save more money because they don’t have a lifetime or annual cap on coverage.
The financial advantages may justify the 12-month waiting period for primary care if you anticipate needing only a few urgent procedures.
Summary
You can select between plans from several different reputable suppliers according to your age, financial situation, and when you require braces.
Additionally, many insurance plans include additional savings and dental benefits, and UnitedHealthcare is our top pick for a dental insurance plan for braces.
FAQs about the Best Dental Insurance For Braces In Texas
- How can I receive Medicaid in Texas to pay for braces?
For Texas Medicaid Members who have a severely handicapped malocclusion or special medical conditions such as cleft palate, post-head trauma injury involving the oral cavity, and skeletal anomalies involving the oral cavity, comprehensive medically necessary orthodontic services are a covered benefit.
- How long do braces last, on average?
The typical length of orthodontic treatment is 16 to 18 months; however, it can usually extend to 24 months or longer.
- Does Medicaid in Texas pay for braces?
Texas Medicaid provides dental insurance and other orthodontic services to children under 20 through the Health Steps program. This program covers braces in an accident or sickness that necessitates them but excludes severe handicapping malocclusions.
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