Does Medicaid pay for braces?

There are circumstances where Medicaid will pay for a patient to get braces. However, braces must be deemed medically necessary for the patient, as Medicaid does not cover procedures that are considered cosmetic in nature.

Medicaid generally pays for braces if the patient meets the following criteria: The patient must comply with an orthodontics treatment plan that has been Medicaid approved, and the patient must also be under the age of 21. In addition, the patient must already be receiving Medicaid. Braces that are considered cosmetic in nature, such as clear braces, are generally not covered by Medicaid. Broken pieces or lost pieces also may not be covered by Medicaid.