Medicaid does not cover retainers. If your child requires a space maintainer instead of a retainer, this may be covered by Medicaid if the maintainer is deemed medically necessary.
Medicaid dental care coverage under AHCCCS is free for qualifying children under the age of 19. At the Kids Dental Office of Phoenix, we offer dental services to our patients who are enrolled in Medicaid and AHCCCS.
If you have any questions about Medicaid coverage for your child’s dental health needs, call us at (602) 903-4894.
How Does Medicaid Provide Dental Health Services?
We cover general Arizona Medicaid dental health services in another article that you can find here. Generally, Medicaid dental services fall under Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT).
Specifically, EPSDT guidelines cover dental services to relieve pain and treat infections, to restore teeth, maintain dental health, and provide orthodontic services deemed medically necessary to treat oral health conditions.
Does Medicaid Cover Retainers?
Retainers are not considered medically necessary. As a result, Medicaid does not cover retainers.
However, Medicaid may cover space maintainers for your child if they are deemed medically necessary. Space maintainers are used to save space for your child’s adult teeth to come in when a baby tooth is lost early.
Is Medicaid the Only Low-Income Program for Retainers?
Qualifying for Medicaid depends on factors including the size of your household, how many children you have, and their ages.
In some cases, a low-income household may not qualify for Medicaid orthodontic coverage, but may still be eligible for financial assistance through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
CHIP works similarly to Medicaid, as it is a federal program administered by states. In Arizona, the state partner program for CHIP is KidsCare.
KidsCare is a low-cost health insurance program that includes medically necessary dental health coverage. The KidsCare monthly premium, ranging from $10 to $70 per month, covers all children in the household.
Do You Have Questions About Medicaid Dental Care for Your Child?
At the Kids Dental Office of Phoenix, as dental providers of orthodontic care, we accept Medicaid and CHIP insurance for pediatric dental and orthodontic services. We can help you know if your household is eligible for Medicaid or CHIP coverage in Arizona.
Call us at (602) 903-4894 or use our contact form to ask a question or schedule a dental appointment for your child.
With Medicaid or CHIP coverage available for children through age 18, you can afford to have the best dental care possible for your children.