Dental Care Under Medicaid
Dental health is an important aspect of any person’s overall health. However, there are many people in the US without access to dental healthcare. Figures published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show that 23.7% of adults aged between 20 and 64 years live with untreated dental caries while 15% of children aged between 6 and 19 years suffer from the same condition. Although these statistics paint a bleak picture, the good news is Medicaid provides dental health coverage for low-income people and families. Here is how you can access dental care under Medicaid.
Qualifications For Dental Coverage
Medicaid enrollment and eligibility rules vary from one state to another. Nevertheless, most states provide coverage for people who meet certain financial criteria. This includes adults and children from low-income families, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. The best way to go about this would be to visit your state’s Medicaid website to find out if you are eligible for dental coverage. Take note that the law requires children to have access to comprehensive dental coverage. However, this is not the case for people aged 21 or older. According to the Medicaid.gov website, individual states can determine the scope of dental coverage offered to adults. For example, states can expand Medicaid coverage beyond the specified minimum income levels. Most states allow people to apply for this dental coverage by telephone, online, or at specified locations.
Dental Services covered by Medicaid
With Medicaid coverage, one can access a wide range of dental healthcare services. These include screening, general dental care such as teeth restorations, preventative services such as applying sealants, emergency services such as surgical procedures, and therapeutic services such as malocclusion treatments. States may also expand these services as they deem fit.
SCHIP Dental Coverage
The State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) provides coverage for children whose families may not have sufficient funds for health insurance. This allows children to access comprehensive dental care under the Early and Periodic Screening Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) program. Services that children can access include restoration of teeth as well as dental care necessary to prevent disease and promote oral health. It is important to note that not all dentists participate in the SCHIP program. You should contact your state’s health department for information about participating healthcare providers.
Benefits of Medicaid Dental Coverage
• Productivity
According to a study carried out by the National Academy for State Health Policy (NASHP), America loses 164 million working hours every year due to oral disease. By improving access to dental healthcare, productivity at the workplace increases.
• Improved Health
Oral diseases can also have a negative effect on the health of pregnant women according to the Journal of the American Dental Association. In addition, the Oral Cancer Foundation says that a dentist can detect oral cancer allowing one to receive treatment much earlier.
Statistics from NASHP show that up to 85 million people do not have any form of dental insurance. For people in this category, Medicaid offers affordable dental coverage provided they meet the minimum income level requirements. Visit your state’s Medicaid website and fill an application to find out if you qualify. In general, most states offer children better dental services while adults get limited or no coverage at all.