What Dentist that take medicare and medicaid for adults For Adults Near Me – The world of Medicare and Medicaid can be confusing in general. When it comes to Medicare and Medicaid dental coverage it can be challenging to know the available options in your local area. It is important to know if your Medicare and Medicaid program covers dental benefits.
As per the American Dental Association around 38.5% of children can get dental coverage through CHIP or Medicaid and 10.3% do not get any dental benefits. Medicare and Medicaid generally cover little to no dental services. There are specific situations where coverage can be guaranteed. This guide will throw light on how you can find dentists who take Medicare and Medicaid for adults near you.
Highlights of this Post
Does Medicaid Cover Dental Care Services?
Yes individuals below 21 years of age and enrolled in the Medicaid program can receive certain dental services no matter in which state they live. Medicaid provides a comprehensive set of benefits for children known as EPSD (Early And Periodic Screening Diagnostic And Treatment).
The Medicaid program provides low-cost or free coverage to low-income individuals and families The US federal government mandates the type of healthcare costs that can be covered under this program. Dental care for adults is left at the discretion of the states. The amount of dental care that others can receive depends on the state.
You can visit the Center For Healthcare Strategies Inc. to get a comprehensive chart that lists the Medicare dental benefits of every state. You must directly go to your insurance provider’s website if you have Medicaid coverage to check for dental coverage details.
For instance, Aetna has a link to find in-network dentists. It is important to check the reviews for every dentist before committing to a procedure. Another example is Axesspointe Community Health which provides four locations in Northeast Ohio where you can find dentists who accept both Medicare and Medicaid.
What Are The Types of Medicaid Dental Coverage?
The federally funded Medicaid program offers low-cost health insurance to low-income families. The dental care benefits for adults on Medicaid are determined by the state government.
Few states provide extensive Medicaid benefits but cover the following
- Preventive care for instance exams and cleanings
- Diagnostic and restorative care like fillings and X-rays
- Care of crowns and dental treatment like extractions
A few limited dental care by some states includes only exams and fillings. Other states offer emergency dental care to adults for instance emergency root canal procedures. Every state has its own rules and regulations called emergency dental visits.
Four state s Alabama, Maryland, Delaware and Tennessee do not provide dental care for adults under the federally funded Medicaid program. Some states make an exception and offer dental care for people who are pregnant, disabled or elderly and belong to low-income families. Irrespective of your state policy, individual dentists can choose whether or not to treat patients on Medicaid. This is why it can be challenging to find a dentist that accepts Medicaid.
Does Medicare Cover Dental Care Services?
The Original Medicare does not cover most dental care and there is no immediate care including dental plans that you can buy. In case you are shopping for coverage for routine dental services for instance X-rays and teeth cleaning or specialized treatment for extractions, fillings and dentures then you cannot cover these dental services from the Original Medicare.
The only way is to obtain dental coverage under Medicare Advantage plans. When it comes to Medicare and dental coverage Medicare Advantage plans provide few dental coverage such as the following.
- Extractions
- Routine
- X-ray
- Teeth cleaning fillings.
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What Are The Types of Medicare Dental Coverage?
Following are the types of Medicare dental coverage that you can opt for.
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Dental Coverage With Medicare Advantage Plans
Also known as Medicare Part C the Medicare Advantage Plans combine the original Medicare Part A and Part B into a single plan. The plans are provided through private insurance companies and approved by the federal government’s Medicare program.
The plans provide additional services and programs that are not covered by the original Medicare for instance dental coverage. Few plans can also include Part D prescription drug coverage and vision. Medicare Advantage plans work similarly to traditional health plans in coverage and cost and include deductibles, coinsurance and copays.
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Dental Coverage With Original Medicare Part A and Part B
The Original Medicare comprises Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance). Original Medicare will only cover dental services if you have suffered a traumatic injury that has affected your teeth, jaw or mouth and you had to be hospitalized.
This is the only case when original Medicare will cover the cost of your dental care. In a nutshell, with an original Medicare, you can be qualified for particular dental services with an oral surgeon or emergency dentist.
Following are the specific instances designed by CMS where you can get dental coverage using the original Medicare with an oral surgeon or emergency dentist.
- Oral examination before heart valve replacement or kidney transplant
- Dental extraction in preparation for neoplastic disease or radiation treatment in your jaw
- Reconstruction of your job after an injury.
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How To Find A Dentist Near Me That Accepts Medicare Or Medicaid?
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Find Out Your State’s Policy
The first and foremost step is to check your state policy that covers settlements for dental care. Every state’s coverage is different from one another so you must contact the local Medicare or Medicaid office in your state or visit the official website.
There you can find detailed information about the types of services that are covered by your program. The US government requires states to take care of the dental needs of children. Many states use managed care programs to administer the dental portion of the Medicaid benefits.
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Search Online
One of the simplest and easiest ways is to contact the dentist’s office that accepts Medicare and Medicaid and ask them directly. Alternatively you can also search for the phrase ‘dentist near me that accepts Medicare and Medicaid’ in the search engine for instance Google.
Searching the Internet is one of the best ways to find abundant options in your local area. In case you have enrolled in a managed care plan then you must check your membership card. You can contact them to get a list of dentists in your local area who accept Medicare or Medicaid.
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Search DentaQuest Database
DentaQuest is recommended by the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services for those who have enrolled in Medicare but have no managed care plan.
You can visit the DentalQuest website to select the type of plan you have and get the option for Medicare or Medicaid dental coverage. You need to enter your zip code and search for a local dentist who provides the services that you need.
Searching the Dentaquest database may take time however there are certain advantages such as dentists can help you learn if they’re accepting new patients. You can search by the dental speciality and every office provides a list of comprehensive plans that it accepts.
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Choose A Dental Profession
Once you find dentists who will see Medicare or Medicaid patients you need to research which one is the best fit for you. You can narrow down your list based on their services and location.
If you have any questions or doubts you can call and ask them directly. For instance, you can ask whether they will help you to submit the treatment charges to Medicaid or if you have to do it yourself.
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Compare Benefits
Once you select a dentist that takes Medicare or Medicaid, make an appointment. You need to discuss it with the dentist during an exam if you’re seeking special treatment like dental filling. Learn about the diagnosis, the proposed treatment and the cost.
You also need to compare the cost of dental treatment to the benefits that your Medicare or Medicaid program provides. If it costs more than what your Medicare or Medicaid plan covers then you need to discuss the payment options at the dental office.
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List Of Places Where Dentists Accept Medicare or Medicaid For Adults
Adults often face a stark reality when looking for nearby dental places that accept Medicare or Medicaid patients for specific procedures. Following are the places where dentists generally accept Medicare or Medicaid for adults.
Pediatric Offices
Looking for pediatric dental offices that take Medicare or Medicaid in your area is the most direct way to find a provider that takes adult patients. Many of these offices also treat adults – provided your state insurance supports the specialized service for patients older than 21.
Dental Schools
Dental schools run clinics and frequently take adult Medicare or Medicaid recipients. Future dentists supervised by faculty often treat low-income patients at sharply reduced fees so the students can hone their craft before entering private practice. Adults can contact these dental schools.
Family Offices
Neighborhood family dental offices throughout the nation are most likely to accept Medicare or Medicaid patients because they provide general treatments typically covered by your state insurance. When you are an adult receiving Medicare or Medicaid benefits, you may contact neighborhood family dental offices. Most states pay for preventive oral care that family dentists provide routinely.
Dental Clinics
Dental clinics for low-income families frequently take on adult Medicare or Medicaid patients knowing that they cannot afford proper oral care otherwise. Dental clinics provide low-cost dental work for adults and they frequently take the adult patient having Medicaid coverage.
List of Dental Specialists Who Accepts Medicare or Medicaid
Emergency Dentists
The chances of finding a local emergency dentist that takes Medicare or Medicaid for adults are highest because all fifty states cover urgent care under the dental and healthcare components.
However, benefits might be limited depending on where you live. Medicaid covers medically necessary dental emergencies throughout the country.
Periodontists
Periodontists are also ready to accept adults having Medicare or Medicaid. When adults need help with diagnosing and treating gum disease, they may need to seek periodontists.
Prosthodontists
The adults may need to go to a prosthodontist to get dental work. This dental work includes restoration of missing tooth and jaw structures. But it may be a little bit difficult to find such prosthodontists who are taking Medicare or Medicaid for the treatment.
Oral Surgeons
There are oral surgeons in your location where you may find oral surgeons to get different types of treatment such as oral diseases, injuries, defects in the head, neck, face, jaw, and mouth. You should make sure that oral surgeons in your location are taking Medicare or Medicaid coverage.
Orthodontists
Orthodontists take Medicare or Medicaid in the community where dental works such as reset of teeth due to any injury, correction of bite alignment, and temporomandibular joint disorders.
Endodontists
Your chances of finding an endodontist in your area that takes Medicaid for adults are about 50% and depend entirely on the state where you live. An endodontist specializes in diagnosing and treating tooth pain and performing root canal treatment.
Dental Care Places Where Dentists Accept Medicaid For Adults (By-State)
Many dental care platforms and dentists accept Medicaid. We are going to discuss some dental care places where dentists accept Medicaid.
Missouri Dental Association
Low-income seniors or adults can receive low-cost dental care from Missouri Dental Association that accepts Medicaid. They cover examinations, cleanings, X-rays, and extraction types of dental care. Missouri Dental Association can be a suitable choice where dentists provide dental care for your Medicaid coverage.
Louisiana Dental Association
The Louisiana Dental Association accepts adults with Medicaid as you can get excellent dental care for you and your children. You need to visit the official website of this association to find a dentist that takes Medicaid.
Smile Structure Dentistry And Braces, Texas
You can get dental care from Smile Structure Dentistry And Braces, Texas when you have both Medicaid and CHIP coverage. They cover teeth cleaning, X-ray, and checks up for you and your children. When you are living in Texas, this resource is one of the best places where the dentist takes adult patients with Medicaid.
Prime Smile, Indiana
Prime Smile in Indiana accepts Medicaid coverage of the adult people to make sure they receive low cost and affordable detail care. They offer cleanings, fluoride treatment, and sealants, and oral hygiene instructions.
Liberty Dental Plan, New York
This is a privately held company where dentists provide excellent dental care. When you are living in New York, you can opt for Liberty Dental Plan where dentists provide dental care and accept Medicaid, CHIP, Medicare, and other services.
Illinois Department of Health Care
There are different dental services that adults and children can take to make sure they can take dental service with Medicaid coverage. Illinois Department of Healthcare And Family Services is another place in Illinois where low-cost dentists are available
Today Dental Alexandria, Virginia
Most of the adults lose their hope of treatment due to higher costs or insurance coverage. Luckily if you have Medicaid coverage you may contact this platform to get your dentist for dental work. You can visit the website on how to get started. When you are living in Virginia, Today Dental Alexandria can be a good option.
Dental Care Places Where Dentists Accept Medicare Part C Advantage
Finding local dentists that accept Medicare Advantage Part C plans can be fruitful however it requires a bit of strategy. There are private insurance companies that provide and manage Advantage plans including comprehensive dental care in a few cases. The following are the examples that will help you to find dentists that accept Medicare Part C or Advantage Plans.
AARP
You can visit the website of United Healthcare if you are searching for local dentists who accept Medicare Advantage plans. United Healthcare is an insurance company that backs this branded affiliate program.
You can also use the UHC online Dentist-Finder tool to find the participating provider in your AARP-sponsored plan. You can choose a network associated with your particular coverage and narrow your search by the following speciality.
- General practitioner
- Endodontist
- Periodontist
- Oral surgeon
- Prosthodontist
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Aetna
Finding dentists who take one of the Aetna Medicare Advantage plans in your local area requires you to visit the insurance company’s official website with a bit of a different twist. You can visit the official Aetna Medicare website to locate participating providers.
The company provides 2 designs that can impact your decision regarding the choice of provider.
- Network plans cover 100% preventive care like cleanings, exams and X-rays including comprehensive services like fillings and extractions in some cases from participating providers.
- The direct member reimbursement plans enable people to find any provider that has not opted out of the program and cover both comprehensive and preventive services.
Humana
Locating dentists who participate in the Humana Medicare Advantage plan is quite easy. You just need to pull your member ID card out of your purse or wallet and use the following information: your date of birth and member ID number printed on the card.
Following are the four Medicare Advantage plan designs provided by Humana similar to any other private insurance companies that serve senior marketplaces.
- Special needs plans
- Private fee for service
- Preferred provider organization
- Health maintenance organization
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BCBS
Finding dentists nearby who take Blue Cross Blue Shield Medicare Advantage plans requires you to visit the company’s website with another twist. Blue Cross Blue Shield is not a single enterprise as it is a National Federation of 37 independently owned as well as operated insurance companies.
Each affiliate makes business decisions and operates in every state with different regulations so seniors do not have a one-stop resource. You just need to enter your zip code into the form and the site will direct you to the appropriate entity.
Conclusion
Visiting a dentist who accepts Medicare or Medicaid near you is an amazing way to take control of your health and access a good quality life. Having healthy oral and dental hygiene is the best way to prevent common problems like gum disease, cavities, oral issues, tooth decay and diseases. Moreover, gum diseases have been linked to the risk of stroke and cardiovascular diseases. There are many resources where under insurers can get dental treatments especially if they are recipients of Medicare and Medicaid programs.
Read more about Free Dental Braces Grants & Financial help at our Get Government Grants blog section. Our guide will cover all the resources that will support you in your need.
Frequently asked questions
What are the places where dental services for Medicaid are approved?
There are places like dental schools, dental clinics, pediatrician offices where you can find dentists and dental care professionals who accept the Medicaid program in your locality.
How can I find a dental provider easily near me?
To get a dental provider near your locality you should, first go for an online search where you can know local dentists who are taking the Medicaid program to provide you the right dental care.
Does Medicaid cover dental services for adults?
Some Medicaid-eligible adults can get dental service covered under the Medicaid. But this can vary according to state guidelines on Medicaid. If there is no availability of Medicaid dental coverage, there can be emergency dental services for the adults covered by Medicaid.
How Can I Find A Dentist Who Accepts Medicaid?
Medicaid dental coverage may vary from one state to another. You must contact the health department of your state or check its website to find a dentist who takes Medicaid. In a few states Medicaid covers emergency dental services and not routine dental care. There can be other low-cost or free dental resources available.
What Should The Recipients Of The Medicare Program Do In Case They Have A Dental Emergency?
The Medicare Part A program will cover emergencies and a few complicated dental procedures that require hospitalization. The recipients can get coverage for a few procedures that are required before for instance organ or cardiac transplants.