For low-income families that qualify, Medicaid covers the cost of children’s health care in Arizona, including dental care.
Arizona provides Medicaid coverage through the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS).
The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix accepts Medicaid payment for children’s dental services through AHCCCS. In this post, we cover Medicaid and the kinds of child dental services it will pay for.
If you have any questions about Medicaid, please call The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix at (602) 903-4894.
Who is Eligible for Medicaid?
Medicaid is a means-based program based on family income. For your children to be eligible for Medicaid coverage in Arizona, your family must go through AHCCCS.
A child may qualify for Medicaid in Arizona if the child:
- Is an Arizona resident
- Is a United States citizen or a qualified immigrant (If the child is not a U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant, the child may still be eligible for emergency services)
- Has a Social Security number, or applies for one
- Is under the income limit
How Does Arizona Determine Medicaid Income Eligibility?
Arizona child Medicaid eligibility depends on three factors:
- Family income
- The number of members in the family household
- The age of the children in the household
The Medicaid eligibility tables below are from the AHCCCS website.
| Monthly Income Limit (Under age 1) | |
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit Effective 02/01/2025 |
| 1 | $1,918 |
| 2 | $2,591 |
| 3 | $3,265 |
| 4 | $3,939 |
| 5 | $4,613 |
| Each additional person $674* | |
| Monthly Income Limit (Age 1 through 5) | |
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit Effective 02/01/2025 |
| 1 | $1,839 |
| 2 | $2,486 |
| 3 | $3,132 |
| 4 | $3,778 |
| 5 | $4,424 |
| Each additional person $647* | |
| Monthly Income Limit (Age 6 through 18) | |
| Household Size | Gross Monthly Income Limit Effective 02/01/2025 |
| 1 | $1,735 |
| 2 | $2,345 |
| 3 | $2,954 |
| 4 | $3,564 |
| 5 | $4,173 |
| Each additional person $610* | |
AHCCCS provides Medicaid coverage to children through participating health insurance companies.
If your child is covered by Medicaid under AHCCCS and is under the age of 21, then Medicaid pays for all kinds of dental care care, including:
- Routine dental services, including preventive checkups
- Teeth cleanings
- Dental sealants and fluoride treatment
- Cavity fillings
- Crowns and bridge work
- Root canal surgery
- Orthodontics
- Emergency care services
There is no copay requirement for Medicaid dental coverage.
A doctor referral is not required to qualify for dental surgery under Medicaid.
There is no cap on the cost of oral health services that Medicaid covers.
Is Medicaid the Only Low-Income Program for Children?
In 1997, the federal government expanded children’s health care insurance coverage to include dental benefits for families who, although they make too much income to qualify for Medicaid, still do not make enough income to pay for health or dental insurance or to cover the cost of child dental services out of pocket.
This new legislation is the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
Like with Medicaid, the federal government partners with states to provide CHIP coverage to eligible families. In Arizona, the CHIP program is KidsCare.
Who Is Eligible for KidsCare Coverage Under CHIP?
A child may qualify for KidsCare coverage if the child:
- Is an Arizona resident
- Is under age 19
- Is a United States citizen or a qualified immigrant
- Has a Social Security number or applies for one
- Is under the income limit
- Is not currently covered by other health insurance
- Does not qualify for coverage through a state agency employee
- Is not eligible to receive AHCCCS (Medicaid) coverage
- Is a member of a household that is willing to pay a premium
Unlike Medicaid, which is free for qualifying families, KidsCare CHIP insurance requires eligible families to pay an insurance premium. KidsCare will cost no more than $50 a month for one child and no more than $70 a month no matter how many children are in the household.
What are the Income Eligibility requirements for CHIP under KidsCare?
Income restrictions apply to KidsCare like they do with Medicaid.
The following table is from the Arizona KidsCare website:
| May Qualify for KidsCare | ||
| Family Size | Monthly Family Income | Annual Family Income |
| 1 | $2,935 | $35,220 |
| 2 | $3,966 | $47,592 |
| 3 | $4,997 | $59,964 |
| 4 | $6,029 | $72,348 |
| 5 | $7,060 | $84,720 |
| 6 | $8,091 | $97,092 |
Need More Information About Medicaid Coverage for Child Dental Services in Arizona?
At The Kids’ Dental Office of Phoenix, we provide the full range of children’s pediatric dentistry needs, from baby teeth to orthodontics and emergency services. We also provide general dentistry services.
We accept many forms of insurance payment, including AHCCCS Medicaid and CHIP KidsCare payments at our office. We can help you determine whether you qualify for either of these forms of health care cost coverage and schedule your child for a dental treatment appointment to see one of our dental or orthodontic dentists.
If you have any questions about whether your child is eligible for dental services provided under Medicaid, call us at (602) 903-3894 or use our contact form.
