What type of dental work will medicaid cover?

Our practice is located in Los Angeles, California. We have always accepted medicaid patients, who are referred to as Dentical patients.  Our practice is on a list of providers for Dentical patients and low income families with children who need dental work . Many dentists will not even bother with Dentical patients because of the billing involved and the fees they receive for their work are so low. Now because of the state's budget crises, they have cut back on who is covered through Dentical.  Guiidelines are all children under the age of 21 are covered and can recieive dental care by participating dentists and adults if they live in an assisted living center or home.  Adults who need emergency treatment and are referred by their medical doctor or  a pregnant woman who's dental condition could damgage the unborn baby.  We have and will continue to treat Dentical patients and we also do all of the dental work free for Children of the Night.  They are our chairty and we have been doing it for 30 years. Giving back is the right thing to do !

Dental work provided by Medicaid varies from state to state.  Some states provide comprehensive care for all patients while other states may only cover basic preventive services.  Most states also require Medicaid recipients to obtain their dental care from a closed panel of dental providers.  Check with your local Medicaid office for details on what your specific state plan provides for dental care.  Also check the list of providers in your area.  It is best to verify with the dental office that they are still providing care and accepting Medicaid patients before obtaining dental treatment.  Most importantly, these programs are generally free for the patient but are costly for the dental provider.  Most office receive minimal reimbursement for their services.  If you make an appointment, keep it or call well in advance to change or cancel.  When a patient is a No-Show, it adversely effects the dental office, the Medicaid system and prevents another patient who wanted treatment from having the opportunity.

Medicaid coverage varies from state to state.  Generally speaking treament is for relief of tooth pain not for cosmetic services.

In our experience Medicaid usually covers necessary mandatory treatment which does not include elective procedures. The goal of this treatment is to improve patient`s comfort level, remove from pain and provide the easiest type of treatment. Most of these procedures will include extractions of the teeth, restorations, removable an partial dentures. Unfortunately Medicaid will not cover any "sophisticated" type of treatment like crown lengthening, implants, locators for removable dentures, etc. The rules of coverage varies from state to state, so you should consult with a Medicaid provider regarding the procedures that are covered. 

Patients who have medicaid insurance for dental should make sure that the dentist is part of there medicaid plan, what that means is that the dentist needs to be on the medicaid list  in order for you to receive benefits. As far as treatment medicaid usually covers treatment like fillings, dentures, cleanings any necessary x-rays even crowns the only type of treatment that's not covered are cosmetics veneers, whitening, implants, ect. The best way to know is to make sure your medicaid Insurance provides you with a list of  doctors on your plan & a list of the treatment that they allow benefits for.