Does Illinois Medicaid Coverage Pay for Children’s Braces?
Illinois Medicaid (also known as Public Aid, Medical Card, Tarjeta Medica, and All Kids) is a form of health care available to low income families and individuals. The government plays a role in funding it to ensure that all the families with little income and other individuals in Illinois can access orthodontic treatment at affordable prices.
Currently, the Illinois funded Medicaid program provides for orthodontic treatment with braces and general dental care for children and individuals in Illinois. These programs include Family Care and All Kids. All Kids provides healthcare, dental care and covers orthodontic services for children from low-income families, while Family Care provides care services for the parents of these children. Each one of these programs is meant to provide specific health and dental care coverage and may assist in paying for dental braces, orthodontic treatment, and orthodontist fees for children residing in the State of Illinois.
The Medicaid program is administered by the Department of Healthcare and Family Services in Illinois. This department was formerly known as the Department of Public Aid (or Medicaid) of Illinois.
Who can qualify for Medicaid orthodontic (braces) benefits in Illinois?
Children from families with low income who reside in the State of Illinois can qualify for braces and orthodontic treatment on the Medicaid program.
For a complete list of Illinois cities, towns and counties where we provide orthodontic treatment with braces for children on Medicaid in Illinois, please visit our Service Areas page.
Does acceptance into the Illinois Medicaid program automatically qualify my child for braces and orthodontic treatment?
Not exactly. Before any orthodontic treatment can begin, all patients have to be pre-approved by the State of Illinois Medicaid administrators. Only those children who have severe needs will be considered for braces and orthodontic treatment on Medicaid.
How will I be notified if my kid has qualified for braces and orthodontic treatment?
After the initial orthodontic evaluation examination, the exams results must be submitted to Medicaid for review. The process of reviewing and evaluating of the submitted files can take up to 4 weeks. The review process is carried out by an Illinois Medicaid administrator.
Once the evaluation is completed you will be contacted by a staff member from Den-Care Smile Center and they will let you know if approval for orthodontic treatment with braces has been granted.
What happens if my child does not get approved for braces and orthodontic treatment with the Medicaid program?
In the event your child is not qualified or has not been approved for braces and orthodontic treatment with the Medical Card, Medicaid, Public Aid or All Kids program, Den-Care Smile Centre will help you by providing an affordable payment option that will fit your family’s budget.