Will Medicaid cover dental service for adults, such as root canal and crowns?

Question: Will Medicaid cover dental service for adults, such as root canal and crowns?

-Daryl

Answer: Coverage for dental services under Medicaid varies between states. Pennsylvania covers necessary dental services, including root canals and crowns. You can find the coverage details by clicking here.

Of course, you must first qualify for Medicaid. If you are presently eligible, that will not change when health reform takes full effect in 2014. However, expanded eligibility under health reform for all adults earning up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level will not apply in Pennsylvania. Governor Corbett has proposed an expansion plan, but it still requires federal approval. Expanded eligibility will apply for residents of New Jersey.

If you do not qualify for Medicaid, you may be able to purchase a dental plan through an insurance exchange. You can find more information on that option by clicking here.

Robert I. Field, Ph.D., J.D., M.P.H. is a professor of law at the Earle Mack School of Law and professor of health management and policy at the School of Public Health at Drexel University. He also writes for The Field Clinic blog. Ask Rob your questions about the new healthcare law.