Braces costs: these benefits and financing options are available

Orthodontic treatment requires patience and costs money. Before getting started with braces or splints, it's a good idea to find out about the costs you're likely to incur. Which costs are covered by health insurance? Which costs are not covered? When must braces be paid for privately? Those who can't or don't want to pay for everything at once can take advantage of various financing options, such as payment by installments.

Braces costs during treatment: From when does the health insurance fund cover?

When it comes to the question of which costs are covered by the statutory health insurance (SHI), the so-called KIG system comes into play. KIG stands for orthodontic indication groups. On the basis of the progress of the tooth change and by the classification of five degrees of severity it is judged whether the costs are taken over. In the case of degrees one and two, the costs are not covered by the statutory health insurance. For grades three through five, the public health insurance contributes to the cost. Whether one pays anything extra privately depends on the additional services chosen.

If the treatment plan has been approved by the statutory health insurance, 80 percent of the costs for the requested services are covered directly. In addition, 20 percent of the costs must be borne by the patient during treatment. If several children are in treatment, the co-payment is reduced to 10 percent from the second child onwards.

Attention: In the event of premature discontinuation or lack of cooperation with the treatment, you will not be reimbursed by the health insurance company for the portion of your own costs paid!

Patients who have private insurance should take a look at their contractually selected insurance conditions. It shows individually, how the costs are covered by the private health insurance (PKV).

How often an invoice is issued?

For patients with statutory health insurance, a quarterly invoice is issued for orthodontic services provided during the treatment quarter. 80 percent of the costs are settled directly with the health insurance company. Over 20 percent of the achievements the patient receives an invoice over the own contribution. After successful completion of orthodontic therapy, the health insurance company will reimburse the patient's own contribution. Invoices from the orthodontist and a final confirmation of the treatment must be submitted to the health insurance company.

In the case of privately insured, billing can be done at any time. Some orthodontists also bill patients with statutory insurance according to the principle of reimbursement.

Coverage of braces costs also depends on age

In addition to the severity of the KIG system, the stage of tooth change and the age of the patient play a role. This is because the statutory health insurance does not cover the cost of treatment until the patient is in the second mixed dentition phase between ca. the 9-12. year of life. Exceptions for an earlier start of treatment are possible in case of pronounced malocclusions within the scope of an early treatment.

In addition, orthodontic treatment must begin before the age of 18. Birthday to be started. After reaching the age of majority, health insurance only pays for therapy in extreme cases in combination with oral surgery.

Treatment and cost plan helps estimate the cost of braces

If the statutory health insurance does not contribute to the costs in the case of KIG classification 1 or 2, or if a patient of full age nevertheless requires braces, the costs are calculated individually according to the type and duration of treatment on the basis of the scale of fees for dentists (GOZ).

Nothing makes you more nervous than hidden costs or an unexpectedly high bill during orthodontic treatment. For this reason, a treatment and cost plan is drawn up after thorough diagnostics and taking into account the patient's wishes. It contains the necessary fee positions according to GOZ for the exact overview of the braces costs.

How to finance the cost of braces

Orthodontic treatment with braces often presents patients with a financial challenge. But just because the statutory health insurance does not cover the cost of treatment, you do not have to do without a healthy set of teeth and straight teeth. There are also various financing options for braces costs.

These four options are available:

1. Payment in installments

Especially in the case of extensive orthodontic therapy, the costs can quickly skyrocket. This is why most orthodontists offer the option of paying in installments via the practice software. With a defined sum per month, the patient can gradually pay off the cost of treatment and thus cushion the financial burden. However, payment in installments can also be arranged through external financial service providers or factoring companies.

2. Supplementary insurance

Those with statutory insurance can take out additional private supplementary dental insurance. With a monthly premium, you can secure services that are not covered by the health insurance company. This is especially helpful if a patient has been classified in severity level one or two in the KIG system, as well as in the case of adult patients. Sensible additional services are also usually covered by supplementary dental insurance. The only important thing is that the private supplementary insurance was taken out before the need for treatment was established.

3. Take out a loan

A loan can also provide relief in the event of financial bottlenecks or very high treatment costs. In this case, the patient should make an appointment with his bank in time and find out about possible credits and their amount. Often already a small loan from 1000 euro represents a clear relief.

4. Report costs for tax purposes

What many do not know: The braces costs can be indicated with the tax declaration as unusual load.

Braces costs: cheap is not better

If you're holding a cost plan for your own orthodontic treatment with aligners or other braces in your hands for the first time, you'll usually be shocked at first. Treatment costs may be higher than expected, resulting in a financial burden. There is the temptation to fall back on commercial offerers in the Internet, who entice with lowest prices. The focus is often only on aesthetics, which entails risks for dental health. Despite higher treatment costs, it should be clear to everyone that the health of their own teeth comes first. First contact should therefore always be the competent specialist dentist for orthodontics.