Does Medicare Cover Braces?

(NOTE: This article is about braces for teeth. We also have articles about Medicare coverage for back braces and knee braces.)

Do you want straighter teeth? If so, orthodontics and braces is a great way to go. But this kind of work can be expensive.

So for those with Medicare, a common question many people have is, “Does Medicare cover Braces?” In this article, we answer this question in clear, plain English. You will also find the average costs of braces, as well as other helpful info.

Does Medicare Cover Braces?

The short answer is, no, in most cases, Medicare will not cover the cost of dental braces. That said, there may be some situations where you can get these costs covered. Below we’ll take a closer look at this to see when you might be able to get Medicare to pay for your dental braces.

Original Medicare (Medicare Part A and Part B) usually does not provide coverage for dental braces as they do not cover dental care. The only exception is if the braces are needed due to an accident or disease, Medicare may provide coverage. Because it would consider the braces to be medically necessary in these cases.

Though Original Medicare does not cover dental braces, you may be able to get coverage for them through a Medicare Advantage plans (Medicare Part C). These plans are offered by private insurance companies. And what each plan covers differs from company to company.

If you have a Medicare Advantage plan (or are shopping for one), reach out the plan provider to ask about coverage for dental braces.

How Much Does Dental Braces Cost?

Generally, dental braces can cost between $3,000 to $10,000. The price of the braces will vary depending on the type of braces.

The cheapest and most common braces are metal braces which can cost from $3,000 to $7,000.

Invisalign braces can cost from $4,000 to $7,800. Like Invisalign braces, the lowest price of ceramic braces costs $4,000, but they can also cost as high as $8,000.

Lingual braces are the most expensive type of braces, ranging from $8,000 to $10,000.

What Are Dental Braces?

Braces are wire-based oral/dental appliances that are used to align crooked jaws or teeth. Though many people get their braces during their early teens, adults can also get their braces.

Aside from aligning the jaws and teeth, it also fixes an uneven bite. Having braces fixes more than just your appearance, but also your mouth’s health and the way you speak, bite and chew.

Adults will often use clear aligners or “invisible braces” rather than traditional fixed braces. That is because most of the time, adults only need minor correction. Clear aligners are easily removable, unlike fixed braces.

Dental braces correct jaw misalignment of many kinds, including:

• Crooked teeth
• Large spaces between teeth
• Overbite or overjet positioning
• Underbite

Note: Medicare coverage changes all the time. And your specific coverage may vary from plan to plan for Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans. Always be sure to double check with your health care provider and/or Medicare insurance provider about what your plan covers and what it does not.

Additional Info on Medicare Coverage

This article is part of our series on “What does Medicare cover?”

Also, you can check out other articles in this series including: Does Medicare cover podiatry visits?