Claim Your Dental Insurance
Can You Claim Back Retainers on Insurance?
It depends on your specific policy. Most UK dental insurance plans consider retainers orthodontic aftercare, and coverage varies significantly between providers. Some policies may cover retainers partially if they're deemed medically necessary or part of your original orthodontic treatment, but many exclude them entirely or only cover your first set.
What's typically covered:
- Retainers prescribed as part of NHS or private orthodontic treatment (partial coverage)
- Replacement retainers following accidental damage (on some policies)
- Retainers for medical reasons, not purely cosmetic
What's usually NOT covered:
- Cosmetic retainers
- Replacement retainers due to loss or wear
- Second or third sets of retainers
Always check your policy documents or contact your insurer directly to understand your specific coverage.
How to Claim With Venneir
1. Order Your Retainers
Place your order as normal through our website. At checkout or afterward, contact us to request an itemised invoice.
2. Receive Your Invoice
We'll provide a detailed invoice showing:
- Your order number
- Product description (custom retainers)
- Date of purchase
- Full cost breakdown
- Our company details
3. Submit Your Claim
Pay for your retainers upfront, then submit your claim to your insurance provider with our invoice. Most UK insurers let you claim via:
- Mobile app (upload a photo of your receipt)
- Online portal
- Post (with original invoice)
4. Get Reimbursed
Your insurer will review your claim against your policy terms and reimburse you according to your coverage level, typically 50-80% of the cost, up to your annual limit.
How UK Dental Insurance Claims Work
The Process:
You pay for treatment first, then claim the money back from your insurer. This is standard across all major UK dental insurance providers including Bupa, Simplyhealth, Vitality, and AXA.
Reimbursement:
- Most insurers reimburse within 24-48 hours
- Payment goes directly to your bank account
- You can only claim up to your annual policy limit
- Some policies require an excess payment
Annual Limits:
Dental insurance plans have maximum claim amounts per year, typically ranging from £300-£1,500 depending on your coverage level. Once you hit this limit, you'll need to pay for additional treatment yourself.
Important Information
Check Your Policy:
Before ordering, verify with your insurer whether custom retainers are covered under your plan. Ask specifically about:
- Orthodontic aftercare coverage
- Annual claim limits
- Excess/co-payment requirements
- Whether replacements are covered
Documentation:
Keep all documentation from Venneir including your invoice, order confirmation, and any clinical information provided with your retainers.
Waiting Periods:
Many policies have waiting periods (3-6 months) before you can claim for complex treatments. Emergency or routine check-ups may be covered immediately, but retainers might fall outside this.
Need Your Invoice?
Contact us at cs@venneir.com with your order number (starts with VEN) and we'll send you a detailed invoice within 24 hours.
Popular Questions
It depends on your policy. Some UK dental insurance plans cover retainers if they're part of orthodontic aftercare or deemed medically necessary. Coverage typically ranges from 50-80% of the cost, but many policies exclude cosmetic retainers or only cover your first set. Check your policy documents or contact your insurer directly.
Bupa dental insurance may cover retainers as part of orthodontic treatment, depending on your specific plan level. The first retainer after orthodontic treatment is often included in the overall treatment cost. Contact Bupa directly or check your policy's orthodontic coverage limits to confirm.
Retainers are usually covered under dental insurance rather than general health insurance. Coverage depends on whether your plan includes orthodontic benefits and considers retainers medically necessary versus cosmetic.
Yes, if your dental insurance includes orthodontic aftercare. Pay for your retainers upfront, request an itemised invoice from your provider, then submit a claim through your insurer's app, online portal, or by post. Reimbursement typically takes 24-48 hours.
Most UK dental insurance plans reimburse 50-80% of retainer costs, up to your annual claim limit (typically £300-£1,500 depending on your coverage level). Some policies require you to pay an excess first.
You'll need an itemised invoice showing the product description, cost, date of purchase, and provider details. Keep your order confirmation and any clinical documentation provided with your retainers.
NHS covers the first retainer for under-18s who qualified for NHS orthodontic treatment. Replacement retainers must be paid for privately, even if you originally had NHS treatment. Adults typically don't qualify for NHS retainers unless for medical reasons.
Most dental insurance policies don't cover replacement retainers due to loss or normal wear. Some policies may cover replacements if damaged in an accident. Check your policy's specific terms around orthodontic appliances.
Private health insurance in the UK typically doesn't cover dental work as standard—you need a dental insurance policy or dental add-on. Some providers like Vitality, Bupa, AXA, and Simplyhealth offer dental coverage that may include retainers.
Order your retainers as normal, then contact your provider requesting an itemised invoice. At Venneir, email cs@venneir.com with your order number (starts with VEN) and we'll send your invoice within 24 hours.
Dental insurance specifically covers dental treatments including orthodontic aftercare like retainers. General health insurance in the UK rarely covers dental work unless you add dental coverage as an optional extra.
Most UK dental insurers don't require pre-approval for retainers, but it's wise to check with your provider before ordering. Some policies have specific requirements for orthodontic claims.
Vitality's dental coverage includes orthodontic treatment for under-18s, which may extend to retainers. For adults, check your specific policy level—their Optical, Dental and Hearing cover includes some dental benefits up to annual limits.
Most UK dental insurers process claims within 24-48 hours once they have all required documentation. Payment is typically made directly to your bank account.
Custom retainers prescribed after orthodontic treatment to maintain tooth position are generally considered medical/clinical. Retainers ordered purely for cosmetic reasons without prior treatment may be classed as cosmetic and not covered by insurance.
