How Much Does Invisalign Cost? – Forbes Health

There are three ways you can pay for Invisalign, says Michael Gorlovsky, D.M.D., 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 offerings include twenty four months of no-interest payments, or 36 months with no money down, according to Dr. Chen and Dr. Corlovsky.  However you may need to qualify for the financing, so your credit score should be in good standing.

Salomon Maya, D.D.S., a dentist at Maya Dental in Studio City, California, says his practice offers several payment plan options, as well. Patients may pay in full (with a discount), pay in three installments, or use CareCredit, a financing company that allows you to pay your balance over 12 to 48 months. Speak with your Invisalign provider to see if they offer payment plans and which might be right for you.

Health Savings Account (HSA)

An HSA is a savings account you can use to put untaxed money aside to use for qualified medical expenses—including Invisalign, which is an eligible expense for HSA funds, says Dr. Gorlovsky. “Under HSA, you are reimbursed for expenses with pre-tax dollars. You pay for Invisalign first, and then you can get reimbursed from the account.”

In 2022, patients with a High Deductible Insurance Plan (a minimum of $1,400 for an individual and $2,800 for a family) can contribute up to $3,650 (individual) or $7,300 (family), which rolls over year to year if not used—unlike an FSA, which expires after a 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 healthcare account that you can put money into to pay for medical expenses. Similar to an HSA, after making a payment, a patient can seek reimbursement from their FSA account.

Your employer may offer an FSA program that allows you to contribute pre-tax funds on an annual basis. The limit of how much you can contribute is determined 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

At dental schools, students provide Invisalign treatment under the supervision of professional dentists, says Dr. Eckhardt. These schools offer lower prices for Invisalign treatment, making them a good option for people who can’t otherwise afford the cost. However, 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 probably save 10% to 15% at most. Other factors to consider include longer wait times, lengthier office visits and stricter protocols, he says.

Medicaid and CHIP

Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) provide required insurance coverage for some low-income families, children, pregnant women, individuals with disabilities and the elderly for necessary medical procedures, says Dr. Eckhardt. Medicaid does not offer coverage for Invisalign as it’s considered cosmetic. “However, if the medical (dental) condition of the child is severe to the extent their daily [quality of] life is suffering, then they might offer the financial coverage needed,” he says.