Any Feds out there have a child in braces?

[Anonymous]

Our oldest is headed towards braces and I'm overwhelmed by the choices.

It seems like the plans with coverage for braces have a pretty limited selection of providers...

Does anyone with a Federal Health plan have a orthodontist they like? A plus would be a provider on public transportation, since I'm guessing there will be frequent follow up visits and he'll need to get there on his own sometimes.

We're in DC, but are willing to travel if we can get there via Metro/bus.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

I am a Fed who had braces myself. Most of the fed dental plans provide no orthodontia coverage for the first two years. So, unless her braces are two years in the future, you won't get any coverage. Once coverage kicks in, it is pretty minimal compared to the cost of orthodontia. You will likely have paid as much in premiums as you will gt in coverage. But,if you think you will have other dental needs that will be costly, it is worth it.

[Anonymous]

Thanks. That does seem to be true of many of the plans, though it looks like 2 have no waiting period. I'm just concerned about the limited number of providers to choose from...

We've got younger kids who may need braces as well, so we're considering all options. Who did you use 1:16 and did you like them?

[Anonymous]

I looked at his last year and decided against any of the plans be wise of the low coverage. Also, I switched to the APWu health plan and that has basic dental coverage, since our dentist is not part of any plan I have found they give fairly decent reimbursement and that made any of h dental plans not worthwhile.

[Anonymous]

I used Humana Dental. They gave $1,000 per child with no waiting time so long as you hadn't started the procedure(s)....

[Anonymous]

thanks 20:19. What doctor did you use?

[Anonymous]

I would encourage you to do some careful math on the premiums vs. benefits. Every time I've looked at it, it is a wash, at best. I've read several articles that conclude that dental coverage (especially with regard to orthodontia), is really just a savings plan--i.e., a way to spread the costs out over multiple premium payments. You're probably better off putting the money into an fsa -- at least you can spend it on other health care issues, if necessary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would encourage you to do some careful math on the premiums vs. benefits. Every time I've looked at it, it is a wash, at best. I've read several articles that conclude that dental coverage (especially with regard to orthodontia), is really just a savings plan--i.e., a way to spread the costs out over multiple premium payments. You're probably better off putting the money into an fsa -- at least you can spend it on other health care issues, if necessary.

In prior years I would agree but the maximum you can put in the FSA for 2013 is $2,500. It used to be $5,000. We're a family of 5 and will use up far more than $2,500 on prescription co-pays alone.

[Anonymous]

Thanks 20:40. This is OP, based on advice and further research decided to go with the FSA route. Then we remembered the $2500 maximum for 2013...

Blah.

Thanks for the feedback though. I'm still really hesitant signing up for a plan given limited providers and limited coverage.

Oh well, I guess we're pretty lucky to even have the option of dental coverage at all.

[Anonymous]

I have Aetna open access which provides discounts on orthodontia (using their providers). It shaved about 1500 off each kid. Dental coverage did not seem worth it unless we could get both kids in ortho at the same time..

[Anonymous]

I would be very hesitant to restrict my ortho to a list of approved providers.

When I was a teacher with dental coverage, we all had two dentists: one in plan for cleaning and simple stuff, and one out of plan (and better) for crowns, filling, and anything where workmanship mattered.