Does Medi-Cal Cover Dental Implants? — Quick Answer
- Usually not for routine tooth replacement.
- Medi-Cal Dental may cover dental implant services in very limited circumstances when an exceptional medical condition is documented, the implant is shown to be medically necessary, and Medi-Cal gives prior authorization.
- Wanting an implant instead of a denture does not by itself establish medical necessity.
- The dentist generally needs to document why conventional dental prostheses will not work because of the patient’s exceptional medical condition.
- Looking for general information about dental implants, insurance, Medicare, costs or alternatives?
- DHCS Medi-Cal Dental Manual of Criteria — current Implant Services criteria
When Can Medi-Cal Cover a Dental Implant?
- Medi-Cal’s implant rules are intended for exceptional medical situations.
- DHCS states that implant services may be considered when an exceptional medical condition is documented and the requested treatment is determined to be medically necessary.
- Examples of exceptional medical conditions listed by DHCS include:
- Cancer of the mouth requiring extensive surgery and/or radiation that destroys bone needed to support conventional dental prostheses.
- Severe atrophy of the upper or lower jaw when it cannot be adequately corrected and the patient cannot function with conventional prostheses.
- Certain skeletal deformities that prevent the use of conventional prostheses.
- Traumatic destruction of the jaw, face or head when the remaining structures cannot support conventional prostheses.
- The DHCS list is not necessarily limited to these examples.
- The important issue is whether the patient’s particular medical condition and dental records establish medical necessity under Medi-Cal’s criteria.
- DHCS Medi-Cal Dental Manual of Criteria — Implant Services D6000-D6199
What Must Your Dentist Submit for an Implant?
- Medi-Cal implant treatment generally requires prior authorization.
- The dentist should request approval before the implant treatment is performed and explain why the requested treatment meets Medi-Cal’s implant criteria.
- The dentist must provide documentation supporting medical necessity.
- Depending on the individual case, supporting information may include radiographs, scans, operative reports, craniofacial reports, diagnostic casts, intraoral or extraoral photographs, tracings and other relevant medical or dental records.
- The records should explain why ordinary dental prostheses are not adequate.
- The issue is not simply whether an implant would be preferable. The documentation should establish why the requested implant treatment is medically necessary because of the patient’s exceptional medical circumstances.
- Learn more about the approval process:
- DHCS Medi-Cal Dental Manual of Criteria
How Do I Find a Medi-Cal Dentist and Request Approval?
- Start with a dentist who participates in Medi-Cal Dental.
- When you call the dental office, ask specifically:
- Are you currently accepting new Medi-Cal Dental patients?
- Can the dentist evaluate whether my condition might qualify under Medi-Cal’s exceptional medical condition criteria for implants?
- Can your office submit the required prior authorization and supporting records to Medi-Cal Dental?
- If you have trouble finding a participating dentist, call Medi-Cal Dental:
- 1-800-322-6384
- TTY: 1-800-735-2922
- If your implant request involves a serious medical condition, your dentist may need medical records or information from your physician, surgeon or other treating provider to document the circumstances supporting the request.
- See our Medi-Cal Dental Benefits & Resources page
What If Medi-Cal Denies the Dental Implant?
- Do not throw away the denial or Notice of Action.
- Read the reason given for the denial and any instructions explaining your review, appeal or hearing rights.
- Ask the dentist why Medi-Cal denied the request.
- Was the request denied because the medical criteria were not met?
- Was additional documentation needed?
- Were medical records, scans, X-rays or other supporting information missing?
- Can the dentist submit additional information or otherwise challenge the denial?
- If you disagree with the decision, review your Medi-Cal appeal rights.
- If your notice gives you the right to request a State Hearing, pay attention to the deadline.
- Questions about the dental authorization or denial?
- Call Medi-Cal Dental at 1-800-322-6384 and have the notice or authorization information available when you call.
What If Medi-Cal Will Not Cover the Implant?
- Ask your dentist what Medi-Cal-covered alternative could restore your ability to eat, speak and function.
- Depending on your dental condition and Medi-Cal’s requirements, alternatives may include full dentures, partial dentures, repairs, adjustments, relines or other covered prosthodontic treatment.
- If an existing denture does not fit properly, that does not necessarily mean an implant is the only solution.
- Ask whether the denture can be adjusted, relined, repaired or replaced under the applicable Medi-Cal Dental rules.
- A bridge may sometimes be another treatment option.
- Whether a bridge or another prosthesis is appropriate and covered depends on the person’s dental condition and Medi-Cal’s current criteria.
- Want to compare implants, bridges, dentures, insurance and other ways of paying for treatment?
- Do you also have Medicare?
- Some Medicare Advantage plans offer additional dental benefits. See our Dental Implant Insurance guide for Medicare and private dental coverage information.
Medi-Cal Dental Implant Resources
- DHCS Medi-Cal Dental Manual of Criteria — Current Implant Services Rules
- Medi-Cal Dental Member Handbook
- Find a Medi-Cal Dentist — DHCS Provider Directory
- Medi-Cal Dental — California Department of Health Care Services
- Our Medi-Cal Dental Benefits & Resources Page
- Our Dental Implant Insurance & Coverage Guide
- Our Medi-Cal Appeals & Hearing Rights Page
- Medi-Cal Dental Telephone Service Center: 1-800-322-6384
- Questions about private dental insurance or Medicare dental benefits?
FAQ’s Medi Cal & Dental #Implantsx
- “OFFICIAL” explanation from Medi Cal on how implants are covered or not?
- A Medi-Cal member is eligible for dental services provided by the Medi-Cal Dental Program. Eligibility for benefits is determined by the member’s local county social services office and reported to the State of California. The State, in turn, issues a Medi-Cal Benefits Identification Card (BIC) to members who are eligible for Medi-Cal Benefits. Limitations or restrictions of dental services may apply in certain situations.
- Medi-Cal offers a broad base of dental benefits, please refer to SmileCalifornia.org for information about Medi-Cal’s dental benefits.
- With respect to your specific question regarding full mouth implants, implant services are a benefit only when exceptional medical conditions are documented, and those conditions are reviewed by the Medi-Cal Dental Program for medical necessity (as defined by law) for prior authorization. Some of those exceptional medical conditions are:
- Furthermore, single tooth implants are not a benefit of the Medi-Cal Dental Program. If the member has an exceptional medical condition, the assigned dental and medical providers will need to get together and fully document the medical and dental needs in writing.
- Providers shall submit a complete case documentation (to include such items as radiographs, scans, operative reports, craniofacial panel reports, diagnostic casts, intraoral/extraoral photographs and tracings) necessary to demonstrate the medical necessity of the requested implant services.
- If the member has existing dentures that do not fit, there are ways to modify them (such as tissue conditioners and relining them) to aid in their retention. This is a conversation the member will need to have with their regular dentist. Modification of existing dentures and even fabrication of new dentures (a benefit once in a five-year period) are benefits of the Medi-Cal Dental Program with prior approval.
- Providers shall submit a complete case documentation (to include such items as radiographs, scans, operative reports, craniofacial panel reports, diagnostic casts, intraoral/extraoral photographs and tracings) necessary to demonstrate the medical necessity of the requested implant services.
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Monique Garcia
Chief of Provider and Beneficiary Services Section
Medi-Cal Dental Services Division
- Denti Cal – Medi Cal Member Handbook. I
- The Denti-Cal provider handbook does mention Implants, so I guess it’s covered. I suggest you ask your dentist. Your question is beyond my pay grade! (Zero, as Medi Cal doesn’t pay agents)These are the “codes” in the provider manual that related to implants:
- justice in aging.org/
- Do you have Medicare? We could look into MAPD Medicare Advantage plans that might offer implant coverage or a quarterly spending account that could be used for implants?
- justice in aging.org/oral-health-for-older-adults-in-california-advocacy-guide/
- Not in CA NAHU National Assoc. of Health Underwriters Agent finder, of course try your EOC evidence of coverage or the SHIP State Health Insurance Assistance Program finder
- alternatives to Implants?
- See our FAQ and comments section below for more FAQ’s or to ask a question
- What Happens When States Cut and Expand Medicaid Medi Cal Dental Benefits? Commonwealth Fund.org March 2026