Local orthodontists who recommend Invisalign are unlikely to take Medicaid for adults because the clear brace system is not the least expensive treatment alternative. Invisalign costs include in-person consultation with a doctor of your choice who takes initial impressions and monitors progress. The higher level of care represents a more expensive solution than the competition with mail-based business models. Orthodontists affiliated with the Smile Doctors brand are more likely to take Medicaid for adults because they offer the most cost-effective alternative to medically necessary services.
Medicaid does provide comprehensive dental services in most states, but only about 5 to 10% of these patients are eligible to use their braces benefits. Dental benefits include treatment for pain and infections, dental restorative treatments, and regular check-ups and cleanings. You may be subject to a lifetime maximum with Medicaid orthodontic care. Eligibility also varies by state and not all orthodontists take Medicaid.
Talk to your orthodontic provider if you would like to use Medicaid to pay for your orthodontic appliances. An orthodontist is the best person to determine if misalignment of teeth and bite problems affect not only your child's oral health, but also their physical and emotional well-being. Orthodontists receive specialized training beyond dentists to become experts in the art of orthodontics and create smiles. Without orthodontic intervention, supposedly simple problems of biting and misalignment of your child's teeth could lead to speech impairment, tooth decay and tooth loss, and even jaw problems.
Talk to your orthodontist about when to start treatment with braces if you are also pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Orthodontic appliances, or orthodontic treatment in general, are among the most expensive dental services you'll ever need. Finally, you're unlikely to find an orthodontist in your area who takes Medicaid by searching by brand name. Finding local orthodontists who accept Medicaid for adult braces will be enormously difficult, as the publicly funded program rarely supports these benefits for beneficiaries after their 21st birthday.
After having all the braces I need, the orthodontist runs a wire around my mouth. In addition, a specialized orthodontic center only treats patients with orthodontic care, rather than offering a wide variety of dental services, which can further reduce costs. The provider directory published by your Dental Benefits Manager (DBM) is the place to go when looking for a pediatric orthodontist taking Medicaid to treat your child for a disabling malocclusion. This card allows you to pay for expensive treatments, such as orthodontic treatment, in terms or parts that are much less overwhelming.
If orthodontic treatment for your child is medically necessary and you miss it, there will be future long-term problems. The provider directory published by your Managed Care Organization (MCO) is the place to go when looking for a craniofacial orthodontist in your area who takes Medicaid to treat your child for a medically necessary birth defect.
Leave a Comment