Does Medicaid cover dental?
Sometimes—Medicaid is federally required to cover dental care for children. But, for adults age 21 and over, dental coverage under Medicaid will vary based on where you live and what care you require.
Here’s what you need to know about Medicaid coverage and dental care.
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When Medicaid covers dental care#when-medicaid-covers-dental-care
Medicaid covers dental care for kids and young adults age 21 and younger through something called Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic, and Treatment (EPSDT), which helps ensure that kids on Medicaid get medical care.
Under EPSDT, Medicaid covers the cost of the following dental care for kids:
- Dental pain relief
- Teeth restoration
- Regular check-ups
- Necessary treatments to maintain dental health
For people on Medicaid who are age 21 and over, dental care is optional under federal law. That means dental coverage is up to the state where you live.
Some states, including New York, California, and Massachusetts, offer broad dental coverage with Medicaid (remember that Medicaid has different names in different states). Some other states may only cover the cost of emergency dental care.
While your state Medicaid may not completely cover the cost of dental care, you may only have to pay a small copayment for the service, depending on local coverage. Check with your state Medicaid office for more information.
What Medicaid does (and doesn’t) cover#what-medicaid-does-and-doesnt-cover
Depending on your state, you may have small copays for some treatments, including:
- Prescription medications
- Emergency room visits
- Inpatient stays
The cost of a copay is capped under federal law, meaning that even when you have to pay them, these copays are likely to be only a few dollars.
