Anonymous wrote:Braces are cosmetic and shouldn’t be covered.

You’d be surprised how many are not. Problems with how the teeth came in can cause jaw problems, eating issues and others. I’m lucky my third just has routine braces and we self paid $5k. My other two had other problems along with the need for braces which cost about $12k each with about $2k each covered by insurance.

Braces are cosmetic and shouldn’t be covered.

Do the math - the higher cost of the insurance usually pays for the extra benefit. Often only makes sense if you have multiple kids in braces at once.

We have MetLife but only because DH has a history of dental drama. They are contributing towards DS's braces but at the max plus a few cleanings, we aren't getting much benefit. Add in some additional dental work and another child getting the max, and there is definitely value.

NP but I'd also like recommendations on this, for kid's braces. We are currently with a dental HMO (Delta Care USA) but can opt for United Concordia or possibly the non-HMO Delta Dental plan during open enrollment. I hate the HMO but their orthodontic coverage is decent (though obviously we are super limited in provider, so it will be a PITA to use), but if people have had a particularly good or bad experience with another provider, I'd love to hear about it! Also open to a supplemental plan we'd buy outside of work, though it would be easier to get it through work.

We will pay for whatever is not covered through our HSA, so if people can share as much detail about costs as possible (total cost, what was covered with which insurer, what you paid out of pocket) that would be super helpful for planning purposes.

Honestly, OP, both my DH's and my dental insurance have a "lifetime" benefit for braces so we used his lifetime benefit amd then the next year, moved to my dental insurance and used mine. You can also pay for them out of an HSA.

Anyone reccommend a certain insurance for supplemental insurance for braces?

Thank you