Byte gives you a lot of value for your money: short treatment plan lengths, personalized customer support, a lifetime guarantee, and more. And while their prices are pretty reasonable, you still might be looking to your insurance provider for help. But insurance coverage for at-home aligners isn’t always black and white. There are many different plans with many different outcomes.
If you have MetLife, there’s a chance you could receive coverage for your Byte treatment. It depends on your specific plan. Fortunately, Byte will walk you through the entire insurance process, taking care of all the necessary paperwork along the way. And this guide will give you an overview of MetLife’s coverage for orthodontic treatments.
Pro tip: Let Byte’s insurance team do the research for you by getting a free coverage check.
Table of Contents
Does MetLife Cover Orthodontics?
Yes, but it depends on your plan. MetLife’s basic PPO plans rarely include coverage for orthodontics, but their more comprehensive, expensive PPO plans sometimes do. However, the orthodontic benefits often come with a lifetime spending limit of around $1,000–$3,000. So, for example, if you got Invisalign and it cost $4,500, you’d still have some out-of-pocket expenses. Some MetLife TakeAlong plans might cover orthodontics, but it’s often restricted to dependents under age 19.
When a plan includes orthodontic benefits, it typically means braces, Invisalign, or other comparable, in-office treatments like ClearCorrect.
Does MetLife Cover Byte?
MetLife doesn’t have a direct partnership with Byte, but they do consider another at-home clear aligner company, SmileDirectClub, to be one of their in-network providers. Additionally, some of their plans say that they cover teledentistry — which is a good sign. Byte adheres to the ADA’s requirements for teledentistry service but not every insurance provider labels them as a teledentistry provider.
This seems to indicate that certain MetLife plans might cover Byte treatment, but you’ll need to check on your specific plan to find out. Byte’s insurance team will check on your coverage for you, then let you know what you’re eligible for. Head over to Byte’s insurance page to get the ball rolling on this process.
How Much Does Byte Cost?
Quality orthodontic treatment can be affordable, but it’s never cheap. Byte’s standard, all-day aligner treatment is $1,999. And if you choose their At-Night aligners (which you only need to wear for ten continuous hours a day), it’s $2,399. We can’t speak for your budget but those prices aren’t pocket change for us — though Byte offers an amazing value for the cost.
If paying all at once just won’t work for you, Byte has a payment plan, called BytePay. No credit check is required, so everyone qualifies. The terms are as follows:
- All-day treatment: $249 down payment, then $70 a month for 36 months
- At-Night treatment: $299 down payments, then $84 a month for 36 months
Like most payment plans, you’ll pay more in the end than if you paid for treatment outright. Unlike most payment plans, Byte gives you bonuses that actually mean you save money once you factor in post-treatment care. The included Byte Protection Plan gives you new retainers every six months for five years and covers two replacements in case yours get lost or stolen. Since these retainers are $129 a set, you spend less when you choose BytePay.
How Do Orthodontic Benefits Work?
First thing first: you need a dental insurance policy. But just having such a policy doesn’t mean you have orthodontic coverage as not all policies include it.
But let’s assume you have a dental policy and orthodontic benefits are part of the package. In this case, in-office treatments are likely covered — think braces, Invisalign, and 3M Clarity. These often treat medical misalignments, not just cosmetic ones, so most insurance companies are open to paying for them.
But remember that insurance companies will usually only pay a percentage of treatment or up to a set lifetime limit. Many also restrict coverage to those aged 18 and under. Be sure to clarify limits before you start treatment.
Will Byte Help Me With Insurance?
Byte doesn’t just help a little with the insurance claims process; they take care of every step from start to finish. They start by running the preliminary check to see if you have coverage. If you do, they’ll submit your claim once you pay. If your insurance provider denies the claim, Byte files an appeal for you and looks for options that will get treatment covered.
Byte stands out for how far they go to help customers with their insurance claims. For example, SmileDirectClub also helps with the preliminary check, but the rest of the process is on you.
Learn more about the process in our complete guide to insurance with Byte.
How Do I Use My Orthodontic Benefits?
Normally, a dentist or orthodontist’s office will bill your insurance provider directly (as long as that dentist is in-network), but some MetLife plans consider at-home aligner companies out of network, so you’ll need to pay for your treatment, then file a claim for reimbursement. Most home aligner companies leave you to file a claim with MetLife on your own. If you’re unfamiliar with insurance procedures, the claim process can be confusing. Fortunately, Byte will do it all for you.
You only need to contact your Byte advisor. They will connect you with their insurance team, and they will handle the process for you, filling out paperwork, ensuring accuracy, and getting everything done in a timely manner.
What If I’m Not Covered?
Even though some MetLife plans may cover Byte treatment, plenty of others don’t cover orthodontics at all. But don’t worry, there are still ways to manage your expenses. You could switch providers and/or plans, but you can only do that during open enrollment periods or if you have a qualifying life event. And if you have insurance through your employer, they might not offer plans from other providers. If so, you could enroll in an individual plan to supplement your employer-provided one. But that means you’ll be paying more in premiums, so you’ll have to make sure the savings are worth it.
Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs) offer another option for paying for Byte treatment. These accounts hold pre-tax income that you can apply to qualifying medical and dental expenses. Byte accepts both FSA and HSA funds, but not all account administrators consider it a qualifying expense. Verify this first before you try to use your funds, as you might end up being charged fees.
And if $1,999 is looking like too much to pay out all at once, you can break it up into more manageable chunks by enrolling in BytePay, Byte’s in-house financing plan. This plan requires a $249 down payment, followed by 36 monthly payments of $70. The best part is that there’s no credit check involved, so everyone qualifies.
Final Thoughts
If you’re interested in Byte, you have an eye for good value. Their intriguing technology, reasonable prices, and individualized customer support make them a fantastic and affordable option. MetLife doesn’t have a partnership with Byte like other providers do, but some of their plans still cover at-home aligner treatment. If you’re unsure about your orthodontic benefits, need help submitting a claim, or just have some preliminary questions, contact Byte. Their experienced support team will handle every aspect of your insurance process so you can kick back and wait for your aligners.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are dental and health insurance separate?
The two fields have always been separate in every way, from their schools of training to their professional organizations. Insurance just followed suit.
Will dental insurance always include orthodontic coverage?
No, many dental insurance policies don’t include orthodontic coverage. You have to check the specifics of your policy.
What are common limits on orthodontics when covered?
- Lifetime Limits: Paying a set dollar amount towards orthodontics per lifetime
- Age Limits: Covering orthodontics in those aged 18 and younger but not in adults
- Percentage Limits: Only covering a set percentage of the cost of treatment
- Medical Only: Not paying for orthodontics if treating a cosmetic case
Why are some insurance companies hesitant to cover at-home and hybrid treatments?
These newer approaches to treatment are a deviation from the norm, and insurance companies are often late to jump on new trends. On top of this, remote and hybrid options require very few (if any) office visits, making it harder to catch certain rare but problematic conditions.
If my policy covers orthodontics, will they cover them in full?
Not likely. Most companies will only cover 50% or less of the cost.
What fees should I keep in mind when setting my budget for treatment?
- Your deductible and how much you have already paid towards it this year
- Your copay and/or coinsurance for treatment and office visits
- The percentage of treatment you will be responsible for
Can I use HSA and FSA funds in addition to insurance?
Yes, you can use all three to pay for your treatment. The only restriction is you cannot double-bill. So if insurance covers 50%, you can use your FSA funds to cover as much as possible, then your HSA funds for whatever remains.
What is the easiest way to find a policy with orthodontic coverage?
The easiest option is to get it through your employer. After that, the next easiest option is working with an insurance broker. They can go over hundreds of policies, selecting several that meet your needs and walk you through choosing the best one.
Do I need to wait to use my benefits?
You might. Many policies have waiting periods between three months and two years for orthodontic coverage.
Join The Discussion: