There are three ways you can pay for Invisalign, says Michael Gorlovsky, DMD, an orthodontist at Windermere Orthodontics in Suwanee and Cumming, Georgia. These options include using your dental insurance, using your Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or Health Savings Account (HSA), asking your doctor for a monthly payment plan.
Payment plans
Payment plans are used for Invisalign on a regular basis, says Dr. Chen. Some typical payment plan offers include twenty-four months of interest-free payments or 36 months with no money down, according to Dr. Chen and Dr. Korlovsky. However, you may need to qualify for financing, so your credit score should be in good shape.
Salomon Maya, DDS, a dentist at Maya Dental in Studio City, California, says his practice also offers several payment plan options. Patients can pay in full (with a discount), pay in three installments, or use CareCredit, a financing company that allows you to pay off your balance over 12 to 48 months. Talk to your Invisalign provider to see if they offer payment plans and which one might be right for you.
Health Savings Account (HSA)
An HSA is a savings account you can use to put tax-free money aside to use for specialized medical expenses—including Invisalign, which is eligible for HSA funds, Dr. Gorlovsky says. “Under the HSA, you are reimbursed for expenses with pre-tax dollars. You pay for Invisalign first and then you can get reimbursed from the bill.”
In 2022, patients with a High Deductible Insurance Plan (at least $1,400 for an individual and $2,800 for a family) can contribute up to $3,650 (individual) or $7,300 (family), which varies from year to year if not used – unlike FSA, which expires after one year.
Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
Invisalign qualifies for payments from an FSA account, says Dr. Gorlovsky. A flexible spending account (FSA) is an employer-sponsored health care account that you can put money into to pay for medical expenses. Similar to an HSA, after making a payment, a patient can request reimbursement from the FSA account.
Your employer may offer an FSA plan that allows you to contribute pre-tax funds on an annual basis. The limit on how much you can contribute is set by your company and usually expires two and a half months after the end of the year (some companies may allow you to carry over $500).
Dental Schools
In dental schools, students provide Invisalign treatment under the supervision of dental professionals, Dr. Eckhardt says. These schools offer lower prices for Invisalign treatment, making them a good option for people who cannot otherwise afford the cost. But while Invisalign is less expensive through a dental school, the savings aren’t as significant as you might expect, says Dr. Chen, adding that you’ll likely save 10% to 15% at most. Other factors to consider include longer wait times, longer office visits and stricter protocols, he says.
Medicaid and CHIP
Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide needed insurance coverage for some low-income families, children, pregnant women, people with disabilities and the elderly for necessary medical procedures, says Dr. Eckhardt. Medicaid does not offer coverage for Invisalign as it is considered cosmetic. “However, if the child’s medical (dental) condition is severe to the extent that it has daily [quality of] “Life suffers, then they can provide the financial coverage needed,” he says.
