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Major dental carriers
- Delta Dental
- Aetna
- Cigna
- MetLife
- Guardian
- United Concordia
- BlueCross BlueShield
- Humana
- Principal
- Lincoln Financial
Other carriers welcome - we verify each plan at the consultation.
Orthodontic Insurance
Orthodontic insurance in Delaware: we verify your plan, file your claims, explain your numbers.
Stellar Orthodontics accepts most major dental insurance carriers in Delaware and all three Delaware Medicaid managed-care plans plus CHIP. We verify your specific plan's orthodontic benefit before treatment and give you a transparent printed estimate showing exactly what insurance pays and what (if anything) you owe.
- Most Major PlansDelta, Aetna, Cigna, MetLife, & more
- Claims Filed for YouWe handle the paperwork
- Medicaid FriendlyAll 3 DE plans plus CHIP
- Transparent EstimateYou see your number at the consult
How dental ortho coverage works
Three things every adult patient should know about orthodontic insurance.
- Lifetime maximum, not annual. Unlike most other dental procedures, orthodontic benefits typically come with a lifetime maximum (usually $1,000 to $3,000 per patient) rather than an annual reset. Once you hit the max, no further orthodontic benefits apply.
- Coverage percentage varies. Most plans cover 50% of orthodontic treatment up to the lifetime max. Some cover 25%, some 60%, some 80%. The exact percentage matters more than the headline "yes we cover braces" answer.
- Medical necessity vs cosmetic. Most plans cover medically necessary orthodontic treatment but exclude purely cosmetic cases. Stellar makes the medical-necessity case where applicable; we'll be honest if a case is cosmetic.
The math, made simple
Example: $5,500 Invisalign case. Your plan covers 50% up to a $2,000 lifetime maximum.
- 50% of $5,500 = $2,750 (but capped at $2,000 lifetime max)
- Insurance pays: $2,000
- You owe: $3,500
- With a 24-month payment plan, that's about $146/month
This is illustrative. Your actual numbers come from your plan and your case at the free consultation.
Plans we accept
Most major dental insurance carriers in Delaware.
Stellar is in-network with most major dental plans. Even when we're out-of-network for a specific plan, many plans still pay out-of-network orthodontic benefits and we file the claims either way.
Delaware Medicaid plans
- Highmark Health Options
- AmeriHealth Caritas Delaware
- Delaware First Health
- Delaware Healthy Children Program (CHIP)
Free Medicaid evaluation. Pre-authorization handled. See Medicaid orthodontics.
Other payment methods
- Monthly payment plans for any out-of-pocket portion
- HSA and FSA accepted
- Sibling and multi-patient family discounts
- Cash, check, credit card
- $0 down options for qualified families on certain plans
See financing options for the full breakdown.
How verification works
Three ways to find out what your plan covers.
- At the free consultation. Bring your insurance card. Stellar's billing team verifies your specific orthodontic benefit, lifetime maximum, and network status while you're in the chair. You get a real number before you leave.
- Call your insurance member services. The number is on the back of your card. Ask: "What is my orthodontic benefit and lifetime maximum? Is Stellar Orthodontics in-network for my plan?" Takes about 10 minutes.
- Check your insurance member portal. Most carriers list benefit details and provider networks online. Look for "Orthodontia" or "Orthodontic Treatment" under your dental benefits.
You don't have to verify anything yourself before the free consultation - we handle it. But knowing your benefit ahead of time helps the financial conversation move faster.
Bring to the consultation
- Insurance card (front and back - many cards have group/policy info on both sides)
- For minors: the parent's card and the parent's photo ID
- For dual coverage: both insurance cards (primary and secondary)
- For Medicaid: the patient's Medicaid member ID card and date of birth
- For HSA/FSA: the card if you have one, or the account info
What's typically covered
The orthodontic services dental insurance usually pays for.
Typically covered
- Diagnostic records (initial photos, x-rays, 3D scan)
- Comprehensive orthodontic treatment with traditional metal braces
- Comprehensive orthodontic treatment with clear ceramic braces
- Comprehensive Invisalign or clear aligner treatment
- Adjustment visits during active treatment
- Removal of appliances at end of treatment
- Initial set of retainers (varies by plan)
- Limited Phase 1 (early interceptive) treatment when medically necessary
"Covered" means insurance pays a percentage of the cost up to the lifetime max - not 100%.
Typically NOT covered
- Purely cosmetic treatment without medical necessity
- Replacement retainers (after the initial set)
- Lost or damaged appliance repairs caused by non-compliance
- Adult orthodontic treatment under Medicaid (very limited)
- "Upgrades" beyond the standard covered modality (e.g., clear ceramic upgrade fee, Invisalign upgrade fee on plans that only cover metal)
- Treatment that exceeds the lifetime ortho maximum
For uncovered services, Stellar offers monthly payment plans and HSA/FSA payment.
Insurance FAQ
Honest answers to insurance and coverage questions.
Does dental insurance cover orthodontic treatment?
Many plans include orthodontic coverage with a separate lifetime maximum (typically $1,000 to $3,000 per patient). Coverage usually applies to medically necessary or comprehensive orthodontic treatment. Cosmetic-only treatment is rarely covered. Stellar verifies your specific plan.
How does the lifetime orthodontic maximum work?
Most plans cap orthodontic benefits at a lifetime maximum per patient. The cap is per patient, not per year. Once you reach the max, no further orthodontic benefits apply - even for future treatment.
Which insurance plans does Stellar accept?
Delta Dental, Aetna, Cigna, MetLife, Guardian, United Concordia, BlueCross BlueShield, Humana, Principal, and many others. We verify your specific plan and network status before treatment. We also accept all 3 Delaware Medicaid managed-care plans plus CHIP.
What if my insurance only covers part of the treatment?
Most patients use insurance to cover part of their treatment and pay the remainder through Stellar's monthly payment plans, HSA, FSA, or out-of-pocket. We give you a transparent printed estimate showing exactly what insurance pays and what you owe.
Will you submit my insurance claims for me?
Yes. Stellar's office submits insurance claims on your behalf. We handle the paperwork directly with the insurance company. You don't have to file reimbursement requests yourself.
What if Stellar isn't in-network with my plan?
Many dental plans pay out-of-network orthodontic benefits at a slightly lower rate. Stellar is in-network with most major plans, but for plans where we're out-of-network, we still verify benefits and submit claims so you receive whatever reimbursement applies.
How do I check what my plan covers before the consultation?
Call your insurance member services number (on the back of your card) and ask: "What is my orthodontic benefit and lifetime maximum?" Or bring your card to the free Stellar consultation and we verify in the office.
Does insurance pay for Invisalign?
Many plans treat Invisalign the same as braces - same coverage percentage, same lifetime maximum. Some plans have carve-outs that exclude Invisalign or cover it at a lower rate. Stellar verifies your specific plan.