One of the best ways of reducing your medical bills without getting insurance is by applying for coverage with Medicaid. If you live in New Hampshire, you can easily apply for this federal and state program, reducing your medical costs by a considerable amount. If you or your family especially needs dental coverage, Medicaid can help you get the treatments you require without stretching your budget.
Dental Coverage Under Medicaid in New Hampshire
Like other states which have embraced Medicaid, dental services are covered by Medicaid. For children, the following services are covered:
- Cleanings (1 in six months)
- Fluoride Treatments (1 in six months up to age 15)
- Sealants (on molars until age 17)
- Space Maintainers (requires prior authorization)
- Diagnostic Services (dental examinations, x-rays, bitewing, full mouth, and panoramic)
- Fillings
- Crowns and Tooth Caps (stainless steel, metal, metal + porcelain, and porcelain)
- Root Canals
- Periodontal Therapy
- Dentures
- Orthodontics (require prior authorization)
- Oral surgery (aside from asymptomatic and 3rd molars, these don’t need authorization)
- Jaw Joint Problems (TMJ)
- Emergency room services
As for adults, they are only eligible for emergency dental services, trauma care, and treatment in case of pain or infection. Now this may sound disappointing for you, but New Hampshire is working on expanding its Medicaid plan and making it as comprehensive as the plans offered by other states. In addition, treating pain and infection with Medicaid will cut down your costs, especially if you have been following your doctor’s instructions and carrying out preventative measures.
How to Apply for Medicaid in NH
If you still haven’t applied for Medicaid in New Hampshire, it’s about time that you do, especially since Dr. Dental can provide you with the care you need for less via this coverage. To apply, you need to comply with three sets of criteria.
#1) General Criteria
- You should be a U.S. citizen or a qualified alien.
- You should be a resident of New Hampshire.
- You must meet the age requirements for the program, which is 21 years.
- You should be able to provide a social security number or prove that you have applied one.
- As the household income is considered, you will need to show documents proving your income and that of your parent or caretaker. Then, it should be below the thresholds set by each Medicaid program. For instance, the NH Health Protection Program is offered for those whose household income is below or equal to 133%. (Click Here for More Information)
- All household resources will be considered to determine your eligibility. These include cash, unoccupied real estate, and trusts.
- You will be investigated for potential income, which may come your way through programs like Social Security Benefits or VA Benefits.
#2) Financial Requirements
- As the household income is considered, you will need to show documents proving your income and that of your parent or caretaker. Then, it should be below the thresholds set by each Medicaid program. For instance, the NH Health Protection Program is offered for those whose household income is below or equal to 133%. (Click Here for More Information)
- All household resources will be considered to determine your eligibility. These include cash, unoccupied real estate, and trusts.
- You will be investigated for potential income, which may come your way through programs like Social Security Benefits or VA Benefits.
#3) Medical Requirements
At times, medical eligibility may be necessary. This requires an assessment made by a NH Department of Health and Human Service medical review team. How long this process takes will depend on the amount of documentation you provide and your responsiveness to the medical review team.
If you’re eligible, simply apply online at https://nheasy.nh.gov/ or mail the District Office a printed and filled-out application. For more help, contact your local NH insurance companies and find out how Medicaid can help you with both your medical and dental needs.
