Does Humana Cover Teeth Aligners?

Humana Dental Coverage

Humana has many options when it comes to dental coverage. They offer some of the most comprehensive preventative and basic oral and dental health coverage. Coverage varies depending on your plan and where you live.

Average Orthodontic Costs Before Insurance

Traditional metal braces can cost between $3,000 and $10,000, depending on the type you need and the level of correction necessary.

Orthodontic treatment is often not covered by insurance or only covered to a limited degree.

Teeth aligners are typically less expensive than traditional braces and are a great alternative if you are looking to straighten or realign your teeth. Average costs before insurance for the different brands are as follows:

What Will Humana Usually Cover for Aligners?

Humana’s Dental Savings Plus Plan offers up to 20% off orthodontic treatment. This can include teeth aligners when you use a provider that is within the Humana network. How this discount plan works:

• No copays or deductibles
• Use as many services as you’d like per year
• Pay out of pocket but at a discounted rate
• 20% off orthodontics
• 20%-40% off preventative services like cleanings and exams
• Average of 37% off prescriptions

It is important to understand that this is a discount plan and not the same thing as dental insurance. However, it can still help to offset some of the costs of orthodontic treatments.

There are some Humana insurance plans that may cover orthodontic treatment with in-network providers up to an annual maximum amount as well. 

The discount savings plan has no waiting period, and you can start getting treatment immediately.

How To Get Orthodontic Coverage Through Humana

To obtain orthodontic coverage through Humana, you can shop for local dental plans by choosing your state from the drop-down menu and inputting your age on their website. Orthodontic treatment is often only covered for children up to age 19 when it is offered. 

You will need to keep up with your monthly premiums and pay any copays or out-of-pocket expenses to sustain your insurance coverage. 

For the Humana dental discount program, you will not have deductibles or copays. There is no limit on the number of services you can use each year so that may be a helpful way to finance teeth aligners. 

You are able to pay a discounted rate at in-network providers up to the annual maximum limit. Your aligner provider can check directly with your insurance company to determine if you are covered and if so at what amount.

How To File A Claim With Humana

With Humana dental insurance plans, you are often covered after paying your deductible and required copays when you use an in-network provider. You will submit your insurance information to your provider before receiving dental services, and they will submit the claim to your insurance provider on your behalf.

If you are using the dental discount plan for services at an in-network provider, the treatment will already be discounted. You will just pay the discounted rate to the provider. You do not need to file a claim when using a dental discount plan.

Other Options for Financing Teeth Aligners

If Humana does not offer the coverage you need for your aligners — for example, if they do not work directly with the brand or provider you choose — you have other options for payment. You can use one of the following programs to pay for your aligners:

• HSA (health savings account): This is a form of pre-tax money that you (or your employer) can set aside into a special account that can then be used to pay for health care expenses, including orthodontic and aligner treatment.
• FSA (flexible spending account): This type of account is offered by your employer, and it puts some of your money into a specialized account that can then be used to pay for health care expenses, including orthodontic and aligner treatment.

Most aligner and orthodontic providers offer some form of financing as well. For instance, providers can offer a discount if you pay in full up front, or they may offer low monthly payments when you need to split the payments up to make them more manageable. 

There are also third-party financing companies that can offer you flexible and customizable financing options to help pay for teeth aligner treatment. Check with your aligner provider to find out how to best finance a better smile.

References

Dental Savings Plus. (2022). Humana. Date fetched: June 29, 2022.

Orthodontics Care and Dental Insurance for Braces. (2022). Humana. Date fetched: June 29, 2022.

Direct-to-Consumer Orthodontics: Surveying the User Experience. (August 2021). Journal of the American Dental Association. Date fetched: June 29, 2022.

Best Dental Insurance for Braces. (December 2021). Investopedia. Date fetched: June 29, 2022.