If braces are on your family’s plans for 2027, the end of the year is a good time to start thinking about the financial side of treatment. Understanding your orthodontic benefits, reviewing available HSA or FSA funds and looking at your plan’s coverage before the new year helps you feel more prepared when it’s time to begin treatment.
At Horton Orthodontics in Woodbury, MN, we know that understanding the cost of care is an important part of choosing treatment. During your consultation, Dr. Horton reviews treatment options, costs and expected timelines with you. Our team also works with insurance providers to help patients understand and make the most of their benefits.
Start Reviewing Your Orthodontic Benefits Early
Insurance coverage for treatment varies from plan to plan, so it’s important to understand your specific policy. If you’re considering braces in 2027, review your orthodontic benefits before the new year and determine what your plan covers, what you may be responsible for and whether your coverage has specific limits.
We work with insurance providers to help patients make the most of their coverage. We are also in network with Delta Dental and HealthPartners insurance plans. Our team is happy to help patients better understand their orthodontic benefits and coverage.
Check Your Orthodontic Lifetime Maximum
One detail families should look for when reviewing orthodontic benefits is the lifetime maximum. Unlike benefits that renew on a regular schedule, a lifetime maximum refers to the total amount a plan will contribute toward eligible treatment over the applicable coverage period.
Before starting treatment, review your plan documents or check with your insurance provider to find out whether your policy has a lifetime maximum, how much has already been used and how much remains available. Knowing this information ahead of time gives you a clearer picture of your potential insurance contribution as you plan your orthodontic benefits for 2027.
Review Your HSA or FSA Options
If you have a Health Savings Account available or Flexible Spending Account, the end of the year is also a useful time to review your account and plan rules. Look at your available balance and determine how your account could fit into your overall payment strategy.
Because HSA and FSA rules vary depending on the account and plan, review your specific account information carefully. If you have questions about eligible expenses, contribution limits, rollover provisions or deadlines, check directly with your plan administrator before making assumptions about how the funds can be used.
Planning ahead helps you coordinate available account funds with your insurance coverage, orthodontic benefits and anticipated treatment expenses.
Ask Questions Before the New Year
A consultation can be a helpful opportunity to understand the expected cost and timeline of treatment before you commit to starting. At our practice, your initial visit includes a comprehensive consultation with Dr. Horton. After an examination, she reviews her findings, discusses treatment options and plans, and goes over cost and the expected timeline.
Starting this conversation before the new year also gives your family time to review orthodontic benefits, consider available HSA or FSA funds and identify questions about your coverage.
Explore Flexible Payment Options
Insurance is only one part of planning for treatment. We also offer flexible, no-interest payment plans, including options with as little as zero down, and work with families to create a payment plan that meets their needs.
Taking time to understand these options alongside your orthodontic benefits helps you develop a clearer plan for managing treatment expenses.
Plan Ahead for Braces in 2027
If your child or another family member needs braces in 2027, you don’t have to wait until treatment begins to start planning. Review your orthodontic benefits, check for a lifetime maximum, look at your HSA or FSA account information and learn about available payment options before the new year.
Our team is here to help you understand your benefits and navigate the financial aspects of treatment. With in-network coverage through Delta Dental and HealthPartners, insurance assistance and flexible payment options, families can begin the new year with a clearer understanding of their treatment plan and expected costs.
Request your complimentary consultation with Dr. Heather Horton in Woodbury, MN to discuss your treatment options, costs, expected timeline and orthodontic benefits before starting your 2027 smile journey.