How is orthodontics covered in other countries?

Factor into that question the items not covered in Medicare and Medigap insurance; issues for most senior citizens eventually.

No coverage for hearing aids; c. $4000 for the latest generation.
No coverage for perscription eye glasses; over $500 for bifocals with non-reflexive lenses.
No coverage for dental work; I just paid over $1400 for a root canal and all the attendant fixing out-of-pocket.

Have you watched BBC? I think orthodontics might not be covered at all in many European countries. ~

In France, the national Social Security system will reimburse about ⅓ of the cost (for treatment that starts before age 16). It’s common for people to take on private insurance that takes up the slack between the S.S. reimbursement and the actual costs. The different “complementary” insurance policies will vary in their level of coverage, but for not much money (by US standards) you can get a policy that will cover all of the difference.

Finding it difficult to breathe today since getting this news. Looks like today’s lunch will be a brisk walk with a side of meditation.

@hominid you can sometimes negotiate a lesser charge with a doctor if they know you are not being reimbursed. It doesn’t hurt to ask.

Orthodontic treatment is available free on the UK NHS for under-18s who need it.

I read at first that you were having a side of medication rather than meditation. It may actually be necessary…

edit: “prescription”.

I am asking my daughter, who lives in British Columbia, what she can find out. Her boyfriend has three kids.

Dental insurance generally sucks in America, I am shocked any orthodontics (is that a word?) are covered.

GQ, I’ll be following. I’m interested in the answers.

Dental care in Canada is rarely covered by Medicare. Only a few orthodontic services are covered – essentially, only for “functional handicap”. I assume that braces would be considered aesthetic (never had them, myself).

People usually have personal dental insurance (or insurance through their employers) for this kind of thing. If you’re expecting to want orthodontic treatment for your family, you have to make sure that’s covered in your plan, or get a different plan. But I would assume that coverage is nowhere near as expensive as in the US. We also don’t have the kind of pressure you have regarding “pre-existing conditions”. If you find out you need braces, you’d likely go out and get an insurance plan immediately, then get the braces done after some brief waiting period.

Australia: Under medicare for certain under 18s that fall within the means test. Covered or partially covered by private cover it’s called ‘extras’.

It’s cosmetic, so I’d be surprised if it is routinely covered anywhere. ~10 years ago, I paid the orthodontist $200.00 a month for two years – about the length of my son’s treatment. Many now use CareCredit or similar programs to offer low- or no-interest financing.