Does Medicaid cover orthodontics care?

Medicaid sometimes covers the cost of orthodontics for children if the services are considered medically necessary, meaning the teeth problems interfere with eating, talking or swallowing, states KidsHealth. The exact benefits for adults and children vary widely by state, notes Medicaid.gov.

To make braces easier to afford for people who do not have coverage, some orthodontist's offices offer payment plans, states Procter & Gamble. Setting aside money in a pretax flexible spending account or health savings account can also decrease the cost of braces. In addition, patients can usually have orthodontic services performed at a dental or orthodontic school for a reduced cost.