Best private health insurance for veneers

Looking to improve the appearance of your teeth? You might be tempted to invest in a popular cosmetic dental treatment called veneers. But beware: they do come with a hefty price tag. To help offset some of the costs involved, getting the right level of private health insurance could come in very handy. Here’s what you need to know about finding health insurance to cover your veneers.

Veneers are thin, custom-made ‘shells’ that cover over the front surface of your teeth. They are most commonly used to correct cosmetic issues like chipped, discoloured or uneven teeth. When installed by an experienced dental professional, veneers can give you whiter, brighter and more uniform teeth, which is why they remain a popular choice for anyone who wants to give themselves a photogenic smile.

Veneers can be made from a few different materials. As you’d expect, different materials come with their respective benefits and drawbacks. The most common materials used for veneers are porcelain and composite, both of which serve the same purpose but vary in cost and appearance.

Porcelain veneers are the most durable and natural-looking option, and they can last up to 15 years with proper dental care. They are more resistant to staining than composite resin veneers but are also more expensive. On the other hand, composite resin veneers are a more affordable alternative but they won’t last as long and are more prone to staining.

There are two main types of veneers available in Australia: porcelain veneers and composite veneers. Here’s a closer look at both types:

• Porcelain veneers: Porcelain veneers are the most commonly sought-after option for anyone looking to make long-term improvements to their smile. They are made in a lab, which makes them a more time-consuming product, but they do offer the best durability and overall look. Because porcelain mimics the natural light-reflecting properties of real teeth, they will give you the most natural look possible. They are also highly resistant to stains, which is perfect if you’re a regular coffee drinker or lover of red wine.
• Composite veneers: Composite veneers are more affordable and can be applied during just a single dental appointment. Instead of being custom-made in a lab, the composite material (i.e. resin) is applied directly to your tooth. It’s then shaped and hardened. While these veneers can be a faster and less expensive option, they won’t last as long as porcelain veneers and might need to be replaced after a few years. They are also more susceptible to staining and wear over time.

In addition to porcelain and composite veneers, your dental professional might also have options like removable veneers, palatal veneers and even specific products like Lumineers. Regardless of the type you choose, you’ll need to keep up good oral hygiene to make sure your veneers last as long as possible.

If you’re getting veneers put in here in Australia, in the vast majority of cases it will be deemed a cosmetic procedure. That means you won’t get any kickbacks from Medicare, and if you only have a basic hospital insurance policy then you’re unlikely to get much – if anything – in the way of coverage from them.

So if you’re looking at the possibility of getting veneers fitted and want to offset some of the costs with private health insurance, you’ll need to have a top-tier extras policy that includes major dental services.

Many basic and mid-range extras policies won’t cover veneers because they are categorised as an elective or cosmetic treatment rather than an essential medical service. However, high-level extras policies that include major dental cover should give you at least some level of reimbursement for your veneers. Do your due diligence on different policies because the amount they cover will vary depending on the insurer and your chosen policy.

Also, be aware that some policies will only provide limited cover or have tight restrictions on how much you can claim each year. Annual limits are common, especially for elective and cosmetic procedures, so you’ll only be able to claim up to a certain amount every year for major dental services.

Many insurers include lifetime limits for certain treatments as well, meaning you might only be able to claim for veneers once, even if you switch between different plans with the same insurer. You must check whether your policy covers the full cost of the procedure or only a portion of it, as this will impact how much out-of-pocket expenses you’ll have.

While every dental surgery will have their own pricing system for veneers, it’s worth going in with a general idea of how much you are likely to spend. And we won’t lie – it can become a lot very quickly. Of course the final cost will come down to the type of material used, the number of veneers you need, your dentist’s general fees and more:

• Without private health insurance: The cost of porcelain veneers can cost upwards of $1,950 per tooth – with $2,500 per tooth certainly not out of the question. Composite resin veneers, while less expensive, can still cost at least $800 per tooth. Keep in mind that composite veneers will also need to be replaced more often, which can add to the overall cost over your lifetime.
• With private health insurance: If you have a top-tier extras policy that includes major dental cover, you might be able to claim a portion of the cost of your veneers. The exact amount you can claim will depend on your insurer and policy. If your policy has an annual limit of $2,000 for major dental work, for example, you might be able to claim up to that amount each year. However, given the high cost of veneers, it’s likely that you’ll still have to pay quite a lot out of your own pocket.

Also bear in mind that there will be other costs to consider, including your dental consultations, x-rays, follow-up treatments and more. As you can see, the cost of veneers can quickly add up, so it’s a good idea to be prepared with a high level of private health insurance.

If you’re planning on using private health insurance to help pay for your veneers, be prepared for waiting periods before you can make a claim. For major dental treatments like veneers, you’ll usually have to see out the full 12 months. During this time, you’ll have to retain your health insurance policy and continue paying premiums, but you won’t be able to claim for veneers until the year has passed.

The good news is that if you’re already covered by a policy that includes major dental cover you might already be able to make a claim. Or if you are switching to a similar policy with a different health fund, the waiting period might be waived or carried over.

Veneers can be a fantastic way to brighten up your teeth and give you that Hollywood smile, but they do come at quite the cost. Be prepared by taking out an extras policy that will help cover at least some of the expense of getting veneers – so you aren’t slammed with out-of-pocket costs when you least expect them.