New York Amsterdam News
…For many, Medicaid, which provides health insurance for low-income individuals and people with disabilities, can serve as a lifeline for accessing affordable dental care. Jointly funded by the federal government and state governments, Medicaid provides comprehensive dental care to children under the age of 21; coverage for adults varies by state. Only 11 states (not including New York) and Washington, D.C., provide extensive dental coverage for adults, according to data published by the CareQuest Institute.
Barriers to Medicaid acceptance
Finding a dental provider who accepts Medicaid can be a challenge. In New York State, the program reimburses participating dentists at about a third or less of average dental charges, according to 2024 data released by the American Dental Association. Only one-third of New York dentists accept Medicaid, according to a report by the Center for Health Workforce Studies at The State University of New York at Albany.