There are ways to see a dentist when you have no insurance
This is a guide is for people who have no dental insurance and little or no money, and who need to see a dentist. There is no judgment here. Millions of adults are in the same situation, and there is an order of steps that costs the least.
The order matters. First, check whether you can get covered for free or close to it, because coverage keeps working after the first visit. Second, know the clinics that will treat you now and charge based on what you make. Third, use free events for one-time care. Last, if you pay a dentist cash, do it in a way that protects you. This page walks through each step.
Step one: check whether you qualify for Medicaid
Many adults qualify for Medicaid and have never applied. Medicaid is free or very low cost health coverage from your state, and unlike private insurance, you can apply any time of year. There is no enrollment deadline to wait for.
In most states, an adult with low income can qualify on income alone. In the rest, it depends on more than income, but you should apply anyway, because being pregnant, having children, or having a disability can each qualify you. Your state may call the program by another name, such as Medi-Cal, BadgerCare, TennCare, or AHCCCS; it is all Medicaid. For children, Medicaid and CHIP cover dental care in every state, so if your child needs a dentist, apply for the child even if you do not qualify yourself.
There are two ways to apply. You can fill out one application at https://www.healthcare.gov/medicaid-chip/, which checks you for Medicaid, checks your children for CHIP, and checks whether you qualify for savings on a private plan, all at once, and sends your information to your state. Or you can apply directly through your state Medicaid agency. If you are approved, what Medicaid covers at the dentist depends on your state, and the guide explains that and how to find a dentist who accepts it.
Step two: check the price of a Marketplace plan
If your income is too high for Medicaid, look at the health insurance Marketplace before you rule out insurance. Financial help there is based on your income. Be aware that the amount of help provided may vary as Congress and/or the President is often debating it, so ignore anything you heard about prices in past years, good or bad. The only number that matters is the one the site shows you, and checking is free.
Dental works two ways on the Marketplace. Some health plans include dental coverage, and you can also buy a separate dental plan, but only at the same time as a health plan; the Marketplace does not sell dental plans on their own. A separate adult dental plan can have a waiting period before it pays for services, and HealthCare.gov (website: https://www.healthcare.gov/) itself tells people to check for waiting periods before enrolling, so ask. If you are covering a child 18 or under, dental coverage for the child must be made available to you.
You can enroll during Open Enrollment, November 1 to January 15, or during the year if you have a qualifying life change such as losing other coverage. You do not have to figure any of this out alone: the Find Local Help tool on HealthCare.gov lists trained helpers who assist with applications for free and do not work for an insurance company, and the Marketplace call center is 1-800-318-2596.
Step three: get care now at a clinic that charges by your income
Whether or not coverage works out, you can be seen now. Community health centers receive federal money to treat people whether or not they can pay, and they charge based on your income, so the fee can be very low if you have little or nothing coming in. Many provide dental care. Find the closest one with the official locator at https://findahealthcenter.hrsa.gov. To understand how these clinics work and what to expect at a visit, read the NHPB guide on dental clinics. We also have a localized directory - to look up clinics in your state and county, see the local dental clinic page.
Dental schools are the other dependable low-cost option. Supervised students provide the care, appointments take longer, and the price is far below a private office. The full guide is at what dental school clinics may offer.
Step four: free care for a one-time need
Charity dental events, volunteer dentist programs, and free clinic days provide real treatment at no cost, usually first come, first served. Those programs, and every other route to free care, are covered in the dental care for no-cost page.
If you pay cash at a private dentist
Paying out of pocket is sometimes the practical choice for a single visit. Protect yourself with one habit: ask what the visit and the treatment will cost, in writing, before the work starts. Many offices charge less for patients who pay cash the same day, and many offer payment plans, but you have to ask. If the bill is the problem, the guide at lowering dental bills, payment plans, and what to do about a dental bill you already owe covers it.
One caution before you buy anything called a dental plan online: a dental discount plan is not insurance. It only gives a percentage off the price at certain dentists, and you pay a fee for it, so know which kind of plan you are looking at, and confirm a dentist near where you live actually accepts it before you pay.
This page shares resources and general information, not medical, dental, or insurance advice. Coverage rules and program details change, so confirm anything here with the program or with HealthCare.gov before you make a decision. For questions about your teeth or your health, talk to a dentist or doctor.
Related Content From Needhelppayingbills.com
|
Need help navigating programs?