Are Dental Braces and Orthodontics Covered under Private Health Insurance?

• byBudgetpolicy
• 2023-08-28

Looked into getting braces or teeth straightening? Shocked by the cost? You are not alone!

Orthodontic treatment can be a game changer, especially for kids. However, the fact is that it is not exactly easy on the wallet.

The good news though, many OSHC and OVHC in Australia include orthodontic treatments such as braces, Invisalign, plates, and more in their extra cover. This could seriously ease up on your expenses.

There are numerous health insurance options out there, whether you are looking to get cover for your children or yourself.

Therefore, here is the breakdown of how health insurance for orthodontics works and what to think about when picking your Overseas Student or Overseas Visitor Health Cover policy.

What is Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is about fixing crooked teeth and jaws. The most common way to do this is by using traditional braces, which are made up of metal pieces and wires. These metal pieces are glued onto each of your teeth and tied together with a wire. This wire helps to get your teeth in the right place.

With advancement over the years, the orthodontics field has excelled in its area and has come up with different ways to align the teeth. Where you might go for the traditional method, some people use removable braces, also known as Invisalign.

Invisalign is clear and plastic that can be easily taken out. So, next time you are sitting to eat your favorite food, it won’t be a problem. You can eat and drink after removing Invisalign and even while you are brushing your teeth.

The process is not over yet. It is a long walk in the park, and you cannot reach back home without completing it. Here comes the last part, retainers. Retainers are used after your teeth are in the right place. This helps keep your teeth from moving around after your treatment.

What does an Orthodontist do?

Are your teeth or jaw misaligned? Is there a gap between your teeth? Do you have impacted teeth? No matter what your problem is, orthodontics has the solution for all!

When you have any of the mentioned or similar problems, your dentist will suggest you see an expert called an orthodontist. Yes! Dentistry and orthodontics are two different fields.

An orthodontist is a super-dentist, with more qualification and knowledge than a general dentist is. Now, let us see what an orthodontist can do to make your smile better:

·         They can help if your teeth are a bit out of line, overlapping each other, or are too far back. These problems often have technical names like overbites, underbites, cross-bites, and reverse bites.

·         If your jaw and teeth are not matching upright, they can help you fix that too.

·         Got a shy tooth, one that is staying under your gum instead of coming out? They can coax it out for you. These are known as impacted teeth.

·         If there are gaps between your teeth that you would rather not have, they can help bridge that gap as well.

So all in all, your orthodontist is none other than your best friend. The one who makes you smile brighter and uplifts your confidence like no one.  

Does your Health Insurance Cover Orthodontics & Braces

Most health insurance hospital policies do not include orthodontic treatment. Therefore, you will have to add orthodontics to your extras cover, if you or your children require it. Besides orthodontics, extras cover can also cover other treatments like regular dental work, glasses, physiotherapy, and more. The treatments covered and the amount you will get will vary based on the type of your policy and the insurance provider.

What type of Health Insurance Cover do you need for Orthodontics?

Just so, you know, certain insurance plans mix the maximum amounts you can claim for major dental treatments and orthodontics while others separate these limits.

Additionally, some OVHC and OSHC insurance providers offer orthodontics coverage separate from major dental whereas, others bundle the two together.

Therefore, it is a good idea to check how your policy is organized. There is a chance you might still be paying for orthodontics even if you do not need it anymore. Also, different OSHC or OVHC policy extras cost differently. Therefore, it is best advised, if you can compare different extras insurance plans.

In Brief!

Budget Policy can help you find the coverage level that best fits your needs. Send us a quote today!