Orthodontics and your health insurance

What do braces actually cost? The Nederlandse Zorgautoriteit (Dutch Health Authority) sets the rates for orthodontics each year. There are a number of factors that determine the price of orthodontics. Such as the type of braces and the number of treatments needed. In addition, braces can be more expensive for certain options. Transparent braces for example can cost more. It’s useful to know that you don't have to pay the costs all at once. On average, the total cost of braces is between € 2,000 and € 3,000, for a treatment duration of two to three years. The cost of braces may vary from one orthodontist to another. This is because a treatment plan is made up of different procedures and each procedure has a fixed rate. The treatment plan is determined by the orthodontist for every individual client.

Orthodontics is almost never reimbursed by the basic insurance, not even for children. There are exceptions for serious development or growth disorders of the mouth, teeth or jaw. For example the treatment of a cleft lip is covered. Is your child under 18 and do you want to be covered for braces? As a parent, you can take out supplemental insurance to cover orthodontics for your child.

Note: The child requiring treatment should be insured under the parent with the supplemental orthodontic insurance policy.

You only pay a deductible for care under the basic insurance. Orthodontics is only covered by the basic insurance for serious development or growth disorders of the mouth, teeth or jaw.

Have you taken out supplemental insurance for orthodontics? Then you’ll receive reimbursement for the treatment up to a certain maximum amount. A specific duration often also applies to the reimbursement of costs.

For example: You’re insured for two years with the same health insurer and the reimbursement from your supplementary package is € 2.000. Then the reimbursement is for those two years, not per calendar year. Of course, you can also use the entire amount within one year.

Want to switch to another insurer after the first year? It’s something to consider carefully. Does your child still have braces, and do you still need reimbursement for these treatments? Then compare the cost of the premium with the costs yet to be incurred. Is there still € 500 in costs to come? Then you can compare health insurances and switch to another health insurer. Be aware that there may be a waiting period when switching health insurers. Some health insurers will only reimburse orthodontic costs after you have paid for one year of supplementary orthodontic insurance with them. If you are in the middle of an orthodontic treatment, it won’t be beneficial to change.

Want to know which health insurance policies are good for braces? Then it's a good idea to compare the different policies. Consider the following when making a decision:

• ​What’s the premium?
• What’s the maximum reimbursement?
• Which costs are reimbursed?
• What’s the reimbursement percentage?
• What are the additional conditions?

The maximum rates for orthodontics are determined by the Dutch Health Care Authority. The cost depends on several factors such as the type of braces and the number of treatments you need. Also, the cost of braces may vary from one orthodontist to another. This is because a treatment plan is made up of different procedures and each procedure has a fixed rate. The treatment plan is determined by the orthodontist for every individual client. You’ll receive an indication of the costs based on your treatment plan.

Orthodontics is not covered by the basic insurance in most cases. Orthodontics is only covered by the basic insurance if you have a serious development or growth disorder of the mouth, teeth or jaw. But this is most often diagnosed and already treated in children under 18.

You only pay a deductible for care that is covered by the basic insurance. The basic insurance only covers orthodontics for serious development or growth disorders of the mouth, teeth or jaw. Do you have supplemental insurance for orthodontics? Then you don’t pay the deductible.

Different reimbursements apply for people aged over 18 than for children. Are you 18 years or older? In that case the reimbursement for braces from health insurance is very limited. If you want braces as an adult, you can choose to take out supplemental insurance. But premiums for this are often high, and the coverage is relatively low. As a result, you’ll often have to pay a high amount yourself. This is why many people choose to pay for their braces themselves.

Supplemental insurance: What to look out for

Want to know which health insurance policies are good for braces? Then it's a good idea to compare the different policies. Consider the following when making a decision:

• ​What’s the premium?
• What’s the maximum reimbursement?
• Which costs are reimbursed?
• What’s the reimbursement percentage?
• What are the additional conditions?