Lifetime Maximum

A lifetime maximum is the total amount your insurance plan will pay for a specific benefit over the course of your life. Once the limit is reached, no further reimbursement is available for that benefit. Lifetime maximums commonly apply to orthodontics, medical equipment, or travel emergency medical coverage.

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For example, an orthodontic lifetime maximum might be $2,000, while a travel emergency lifetime maximum could be $5 million. Lifetime limits protect insurers from unlimited long-term exposure while allowing members to plan major expenses realistically.

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Example:

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If your orthodontic lifetime maximum is $2,000 and you have already received that amount in claim reimbursements, additional orthodontic costs will not be covered in the future.

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What to Watch For:

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Unlike annual limits, lifetime maximums do not reset. Always verify whether lifetime limits apply per insured person or across your family. Keeping receipts helps track cumulative usage.