Medicaid Braces in Tampa

Does Miller Orthodontics accept Medicaid for braces?

Yes. Miller Orthodontics accepts Medicaid for orthodontic treatment at our Carrollwood / North Tampa office (1303 W Fletcher Ave) and our Brandon office (213 Kingsway Road). Our Apollo Beach location does not accept Medicaid. Consultations are free, and we complete Medicaid pre-authorization the same day you come in.

Which Medicaid plans do you take?

Miller Orthodontics is in network with six Florida Medicaid dental plans. Two of them require a referral from your child's general dentist before we can see you.

If you have MCNA or Sunshine, ask your child's dentist to send a referral to Miller Orthodontics at (813) 427-2237 — most offices can do it the same day. If you don't have a general dentist yet, call us and we can give you recommendations nearby.

Not sure which plan you have? Bring your card to the consultation, or call (813) 427-2237 and we'll look it up.

How does Florida Medicaid decide if braces are covered?

Florida Medicaid covers orthodontic treatment for children under 21 when a bite problem is severe enough to be considered a handicapping malocclusion — a condition that interferes with how the mouth functions, not simply how it looks.

Florida uses one statewide assessment for this — the Medicaid Orthodontic Initial Assessment Form, built on the HLD Index (Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation). Every Florida Medicaid dental plan uses the same form, so the criteria don't change based on which plan you have.

An orthodontist examines the teeth and bite, assigns points for each qualifying condition, and adds them up. A score of 26 or higher meets the threshold for coverage, though it isn't an automatic guarantee — the plan still reviews the case. Some severe conditions qualify without any scoring at all.

What conditions qualify automatically?

Six conditions are approved without needing to reach 26 points, when properly documented:

If your child has any of these, coverage is generally straightforward.

What does the orthodontist measure to reach 26 points?

When no automatic condition applies, points are added across these measurements:

These add together. A child with crowding in both arches (10 points), a 4mm open bite (16 points), and a posterior crossbite (4 points) reaches 30 points, above the threshold. A child with mild crowding and a 2mm overjet falls well short of it.

Measurements come from a clinical exam and diagnostic records taken in the office. At Miller Orthodontics all of this happens at your free consultation, and Dr. Miller completes the scoring and submits the pre-authorization the same day.

Criteria current as of August 2026. Florida Medicaid policy can change; we re-verify annually.

What if my child doesn't qualify?

Cases below 26 points aren't approved, and there's no partial coverage. But a score is a snapshot in time — as permanent teeth come in and the jaws grow, a borderline case can become a qualifying one. If your child is young, the right move is often to wait and re-evaluate rather than pay out of pocket now.

Miller Orthodontics monitors growing patients at no cost through our observation program, and we re-score when the timing is right. If you'd rather not wait, we offer a reduced fee for Medicaid families whose treatment isn't covered, with treatment starting at $300 down.

Is there an age limit for Medicaid coverage?

Florida Medicaid covers medically necessary orthodontic treatment for children under 21. There's no minimum age, but treatment usually begins between ages 11 and 14, once most permanent teeth have come in. If your child is approaching 21, call us at (813) 427-2237 and we'll verify their remaining eligibility directly with your plan before you make any decisions.

Is the consultation free if I have Medicaid?

Yes. Consultations at Miller Orthodontics are free for everyone, including Medicaid patients, and include the exam, photos, and X-rays. For Medicaid patients we also take a CBCT scan and complete the pre-authorization paperwork at that same visit at no cost. There is no charge whether or not your child is approved, and no obligation to start treatment.

How Medicaid approval works, step by step

1. 1

   Call (813) 427-2237 and schedule a free consultation at our Carrollwood or Brandon office. If you have MCNA or Sunshine, ask your dentist for a referral first.

2. 2

   Bring your Medicaid card and your child's dental records if you have them.

3. 3

   We take records — exam, photos, X-rays, and a CBCT scan.

4. 4

   Dr. Miller scores the case using the HLD Index during your visit.

5. 5

   We submit pre-authorization the same day, so you're not waiting weeks to find out where you stand.

6. 6

   You get an answer, and we walk you through your options either way.

What to bring to your consultation

• Your child's Medicaid card
• A photo ID for the parent or guardian
• A referral from your dentist if you have MCNA Dental or Sunshine Health
• Any prior dental X-rays or records, if you have them