Medicaid, a government-funded health insurance option, has strict guidelines for what it will and will not cover. There are national guidelines all states must follow, and there are state-mandated guidelines. So, you may wonder does Medicaid covers teeth whitening in Illinois. Medicaid in Illinois covers preventive dentistry and not cosmetic dentistry. Do teeth whitening procedures fall under preventative or cosmetic dentistry? A New Lenox dentist has the answer.
Under medical insurance, preventative dentistry covers cleanings, x-rays, exams, gum care, and emergency dental services. Examples of cosmetic dentistry are dental implants, braces, Invisalign, and tooth bleaching. Teeth whitening falls under cosmetic dentistry, with tooth bleaching being the closest match. Therefore, Medicaid doesn’t cover it. Cosmetic dentistry is not a medical emergency or necessity.
Medicaid is more likely to cover preventative and cosmetic dentistry for children and teens than adults. However, adults receive preventive coverage in Illinois thanks to 2018 legislation, and it’s part of state Medicaid. You can still get coverage through a Medicare-Medicaid Alignment Initiative (MMIA) provider or HealthChoice Illinois/HealthChoice Illinois YouthCare. As of this writing, there is no coverage for adult cosmetic dentistry.
Choose a dentistry that offers financing plans to cover cosmetic treatments like teeth whitening. Enrolling in that plan alongside Medicaid’s preventative dental care coverage means you can achieve that healthy white smile that turns heads. That’s less to pay upfront and out of pocket. Choose a New Lenox dentist who services the whole family with or without an appointment.
Contact Smile League Dental for more information.
