Does medicaid pay for braces in louisiana

MCNA Dental is a Medicaid dental plan for the entire state of Louisiana. We administer the dental benefits for eligible children and adults. MCNA Dental has a large network of general and specialty dentists throughout Louisiana to make sure you can get the high quality dental care you need.

Dental Benefits

We offer dental benefits to cover most children's dental needs.

  • Preventive and diagnostic benefits, including: dental cleanings, exams, x-rays, fluoride, sealants, and more.
  • Therapeutic benefits to treat cavities, gum or tooth pain, or other dental problems including: fillings, extractions, root canals, dental emergencies, and more.

We also offer dental benefits for adults.

  • Diagnostic benefits, including: exams and x-rays.
  • Prosthodontic benefits, including: complete and partial dentures.

You can find more information about benefits in your Member Handbook. To download your Member Handbook, please click here.

Call our Member Hotline if you have any questions about dental benefits.

Enjoy a gift card from us!

Does medicaid pay for braces in louisiana

MCNA rewards our Louisiana EPSDT members who take care of their oral health!

Parents or guardians of our EPSDT members can earn a $10 Amazon.com Gift Card* per child! To learn more, call MCNA toll-free at 1-855-702-6262.

* Restrictions apply.

This page provides information about Medicaid (Public Aid) coverage for braces in Louisiana.

Braces might be covered under  Louisiana Medicaid state insurance in the following counties:

  • Acadia Parish
  • Allen Parish (Oberlin)
  • Ascension Parish
  • Assumption Parish
  • Avoyelles Parish (Marksville)
  • Beauregard Parish
  • Bienville Parish (Arcadia)
  • Bossier Parish
  • Caddo Parish (Shreveport)
  • Calcasieu Parish
  • Caldwell Parish
  • Cameron Parish
  • Catahoula Parish
  • Claiborne Parish (Homer)
  • Concordia Parish (Vidalia)
  • DeSoto Parish
  • East Baton Rouge Parish
  • East Carroll Parish
  • East Feliciana Parish
  • Evangeline Parish
  • Franklin Parish
  • Iberville Parish
  • Jackson Parish (Johnsboro)
  • Jefferson Davis Parish
  • Jefferson Parish (New Orleans)
  • La Salle Parish (Jena)
  • Lafayette Parish
  • Lafourche Parish
  • Lincoln Parish
  • Livingston Parish
  • Madison Parish
  • Morehouse Parish
  • Natchitoches Parish (Natchitoches)
  • Orleans Parish (Monroe)
  • Ouachita Parish
  • Plaquemines Parish (Pointe a la Hache)
  • Pointe Coupee Parish
  • Rapides Parish (Alexandria)
  • Red River Parish (Coushatta)
  • Richland Parish
  • Sabine Parish
  • Saint Bernard Parish
  • Saint Charles Parish
  • Saint Helena Parish
  • Saint James Parish
  • Saint John the Baptist Parish
  • Saint Landry Parish
  • Saint Martin Parish
  • Saint Mary Parish
  • Saint Tammany Parish
  • Tangipahoa Parish (Amite)
  • Tensas Parish
  • Terrebonne Parish
  • Union Parish
  • Vermilion Parish
  • Vernon Parish
  • Washington Parish
  • Webster Parish (Minden)
  • West Baton Rouge Parish
  • West Carroll Parish
  • West Feliciana Parish
  • Winn Parish

How to Get Braces for Free or an Affordable Price

Smiling Woman Happy About Free Braces

Can You Get Braces for Free?

Braces are a complex medical procedure designed to improve your smile and boost your oral and overall health: for this reason, they tend to be costly. According to the American Dental Association, the average cost of braces for children is between $4,685 and $6,500, and for adults, slightly higher.

Costs vary for several reasons. Firstly, there are a variety of braces treatments, with different associated costs. Traditional metal braces are the original form of orthodontia, and they tend to cost the least.

Boutique treatment options like lingual braces offer a discreet design on the inner part of the teeth and cost much more. The specific provider you select, as well as the region where you live, will also affect the price of the braces treatment.

Remember, orthodontic care is a medical procedure, so it’s never “free”: between the cost of the appliance, the use of specialized technology, and the labor of the expert orthodontist and staff, orthodontic care is costly.

However, for certain young patients, it is possible to get braces fully covered and avoid any expense for your family, by using state-sponsored insurance or federal programs like Medicaid or CHIP. In addition, certain dental scholarship programs offer orthodontic care for qualifying children.

While not all children and young adults may qualify for fully covered braces, there are also ways to greatly lower the cost of orthodontia, using insurance and other programs.

  • Get the full guide to braces treatments

How to Qualify for Free Braces for Kids

  • 1Medicaid/CHIP or State-Sponsored Insurance

  • 2Private Dental Insurance or FSA/HSA Plans

  • 3Smiles Change Lives and other braces discounts programs

  • 4Dentalsave or other dental savings programs

Up to What Age Are Braces Free?

up-to-watch-age-are-braces-free-thumb

Meeting-with-Orthodontic-Treatment-Coordinator-for-Affordable-Braces

Free Braces for Adults

While it is not common to get braces treatment fully covered as an adult, there are certain exceptions. If you qualify for Medicaid and have a medical condition treatable with braces, may be able to get your braces expenses fully covered. This requires the orthodontist to determine that the braces are medically necessary.

Some orthodontic conditions frequently covered by Medicaid:

  • Accidental trauma to the mouth, teeth, or jaw
  • TMJ
  • Sleep apnea
  • Severe malocclusion causing physical or emotional harm

You may be subject to a lifetime maximum with Medicaid orthodontic care. Eligibility also varies by state, and not all orthodontists take Medicaid. Talk to your orthodontic provider if you would like to use Medicaid to pay for your braces.

Free Braces When Pregnant

It is perfectly safe to get braces while pregnant. There are certain things to consider if you plan on getting braces treatment while you are expecting a baby: gum inflammation, headaches, and increased plaque growth are common side effects of both braces treatment and pregnancy. Talk to your orthodontist about when to begin braces treatment if you are also pregnant or planning on becoming pregnant.

If you qualify for Medicaid or another state-sponsored insurance plan, you may be able to get your braces covered as an adult. In the UK, the NHS specifically covers braces treatment for pregnant women, but in the U.S. your pregnancy does not impact whether or not your subsidized insurance will help pay for braces.

If you have Medicaid or a state-sponsored insurance plan, schedule a consultation to find out if your condition may qualify for braces coverage.

Tips to Make Braces Affordable

Even if you can't get braces covered for free, there are many ways to save on braces and make them more affordable.

  • 1Flexible Monthly Savings Plans

  • 2Family Discounts

  • 3Healthcare Credit Cards

  • 4Seek treatment in a freestanding orthodontic facility

  • 5Seasonal promotions and office promotions

Two Braces Patients Smiling with Orthodontist

Diamond Braces’ Commitment to Affordable Smile

Diamond Braces has been offering affordable, accessible orthodontic care in the Tri-State area for over 20 years. In that time, we’ve helped more than 100,000 patients achieve beautiful, healthy smiles.

Our prices are up to 30% lower than the national average because we believe that cost should never get between you and the smile you deserve. We accept all insurance plans, offer low monthly payment plans, and have staff on hand to help you find ways to easily pay for your family’s care.

Plus, we offer a Lifetime Smile Maintenance Guarantee – because we’re that committed to your healthy, lasting smile.

Schedule a consultation with our team, either in a convenient location near you or online, right from home. Our initial consultations are completely complimentary, with no commitment necessary.

Schedule a consultation and start smiling for 30% less!

What Louisiana Medicaid covers?

LaCHIP provides Medicaid coverage for primary care doctor visits as well as preventive and emergency care, immunizations, prescription medications, hospitalization, home health care and other health services.

How much do braces cost without insurance in Louisiana?

According to the American Dental Association, the national average cost for adult braces treatment is $4,800 to $7,135. ... Cost of Adult Braces in Louisiana vs. National Average..

What determines if braces are medically necessary?

Orthodontic treatment is medically necessary when the following criteria have been met: The member is under the age 19 (through age 18, unless the member specific benefit plan document indicates a different age); and Services are related to the treatment of a severe craniofacial deformity that results in a physically ...

Does Louisiana Medicaid cover dental for adults?

Effective January 1, 2021, the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) has contracted with DentaQuest and MCNA Dental to provide dental benefits for qualified Medicaid enrollees. These plans are accountable to LDH and the state of Louisiana.