If you are searching for a dentist on Long Island and have Medicaid coverage, you want a clear answer before you call. Here it is: Meadowbrook Dental Care does not accept Medicaid. We understand this may be disappointing, and we want to be upfront so you can make the best decision for your care. This article explains why, outlines the insurance plans we do accept, and walks through every alternative option available to you — whether you have a PPO plan, Medicare, or no dental insurance at all.
Our goal is to help you find a path to quality dental care regardless of your coverage situation. If you have questions about your specific plan, our front desk team at our Mineola and Plainview offices is always happy to help verify your benefits over the phone before you schedule.
Why Meadowbrook Does Not Accept Medicaid
Medicaid reimbursement rates for dental services in New York are significantly below the cost of delivering care. For many procedures, Medicaid reimburses 30–50% of the fee that private insurance or self-pay patients cover. Accepting Medicaid at those rates would require reducing appointment times, limiting the materials and technology we use, or increasing patient volume to unsustainable levels — all of which compromise the quality and experience our patients expect.
This is a business reality shared by a large number of dental practices across Nassau County and Long Island. According to the American Dental Association, fewer than 40% of dentists nationwide accept Medicaid. We chose to focus on providing comprehensive, unhurried care with modern technology and materials, which requires fee structures that Medicaid reimbursement does not support.
Understanding Dental Insurance Types
Insurance terminology can be confusing. Here is a quick breakdown of the most common dental coverage types and how they work:
- PPO (Preferred Provider Organization): The most common type of employer-sponsored dental insurance. You can see any dentist, but you pay less when you visit an in-network provider. PPO plans typically cover preventive care at 100%, basic procedures at 70–80%, and major procedures at 50%.
- HMO (Health Maintenance Organization): Requires you to choose a primary dentist from a specific network. Referrals are usually needed for specialists. HMO plans tend to have lower premiums but more limited provider choices.
- Medicaid: A joint federal and state program providing health coverage to low-income individuals and families. Dental benefits vary significantly by state. In New York, Medicaid covers basic dental services for adults, but the provider network is limited due to low reimbursement rates.
- Medicare: Federal health insurance for people 65 and older or with qualifying disabilities. Traditional Medicare (Parts A and B) does not cover routine dental care. Some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) include dental benefits — these are administered by private insurers and may function similarly to PPO or HMO plans.
- Fee-for-service / self-pay: No insurance involved. You pay the full fee for each service. Some practices (including Meadowbrook) offer financing to make self-pay manageable.
Insurance Plans We Accept
Meadowbrook Dental Care is in-network with most major PPO dental plans. If your plan is not listed below, call us — we work with many additional carriers, and PPO plans typically provide out-of-network benefits as well.
- Aetna
- Cigna
- Delta Dental
- MetLife
- Guardian
- UnitedHealthcare
- BlueCross BlueShield
- Principal
Even if your PPO plan is not on this list, you likely still have out-of-network benefits that cover a meaningful portion of your care. Out-of-network PPO benefits typically reimburse 50–70% of what in-network benefits would cover. Our team verifies your specific benefits and provides a written estimate before treatment begins so you know exactly what to expect.
Coverage Comparison: What Each Plan Type Means for You
The table below summarizes what patients typically experience under different coverage scenarios. Actual benefits depend on your specific plan — these are general guidelines.
| Coverage Type | Preventive (Cleanings, Exams) | Basic (Fillings, Extractions) | Major (Crowns, Implants) | Estimated Patient Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PPO — in-network | Typically 100% covered | 70–80% covered | 50% covered | Lowest out-of-pocket |
| PPO — out-of-network | 80–100% covered | 50–70% covered | 30–50% covered | Moderate out-of-pocket |
| Medicaid (NY) | Covered at select providers | Covered at select providers | Limited or not covered | Low, but provider access is limited |
| No insurance / self-pay | Full fee | Full fee | Full fee | Highest, but financing available |
Options for Patients Without Insurance
If you do not have dental insurance — or if your plan does not cover what you need — Meadowbrook Dental Care offers several ways to make care affordable:
- Third-party financing: Apply for healthcare credit through lenders like CareCredit or LendingClub, often with 0% interest promotional periods of 6–24 months. The application takes about two minutes and decisions are instant. Learn more on our financing page.
- HSA / FSA funds: If you have a Health Savings Account or Flexible Spending Account through your employer, dental care is an eligible expense. These accounts let you pay with pre-tax dollars, effectively giving you a built-in discount.
- Treatment phasing: For larger cases, we can sometimes stage treatment over multiple visits and billing cycles, allowing you to spread the cost over time without formal financing.
How to Verify Your Coverage Before Your Visit
Whether you have PPO insurance, a Medicare Advantage plan with dental benefits, or are unsure what your plan covers, here is how to get clarity before your appointment:
- Call our office: Provide your insurance carrier name, member ID, and group number. Our team contacts your insurer to verify benefits, remaining annual maximums, and whether Meadowbrook is in-network for your specific plan.
- Check your insurer's website: Most carriers have an online portal where you can look up in-network providers and review your benefit summary.
- Bring your card to your visit: If you prefer, simply bring your insurance card and ID to your appointment. We run a real-time eligibility check and discuss your benefits before any treatment begins.
We never want cost to be a surprise. Every patient at Meadowbrook receives a treatment plan with a clear cost breakdown — including insurance estimates and your patient portion — before we begin any work.
Resources for Medicaid Patients
We understand that Medicaid patients need dental care too, and we do not want to leave you without direction. If you have Medicaid and are looking for dental care in Nassau County, these resources may help:
- New York State Medicaid provider search: The NY eMedNY system maintains a directory of enrolled Medicaid dental providers. Search by zip code to find participating offices near you.
- Community health centers: Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) on Long Island accept Medicaid and offer dental services on a sliding-fee scale based on income.
- Dental school clinics: Programs like Stony Brook School of Dental Medicine offer supervised care at reduced fees and accept Medicaid for many services.
If your insurance situation changes in the future — for example, you gain employer-sponsored PPO coverage — we would be glad to welcome you as a patient at Meadowbrook Dental Care.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Meadowbrook accept any government insurance?
Meadowbrook does not accept Medicaid. However, some Medicare Advantage plans (Part C) include PPO dental benefits administered by private carriers like Aetna, Cigna, or UnitedHealthcare. If your Medicare Advantage plan includes dental PPO coverage through one of our accepted carriers, we may be able to see you in-network. Call our office with your plan details and we will verify.
What if my PPO plan is not on your accepted list?
We accept many plans beyond those listed on our website. Additionally, most PPO plans provide out-of-network benefits, meaning your insurer will still reimburse a portion of your care even if Meadowbrook is not in their specific network. We verify your benefits before treatment and give you exact numbers.
Can I see you without insurance and use financing?
Yes. Many of our patients are self-pay and use third-party financing to manage costs. Whether you need a routine cleaning or a complex procedure, our team presents the full cost upfront and helps you explore payment options before any work begins.
How do I know what my insurance covers before my visit?
Call us at either office with your insurance information and we will run a benefit verification. We check your annual maximum, deductible status, coverage percentages, and waiting periods. This takes about 24–48 hours and ensures there are no surprises when you sit in the chair.
Have questions about your coverage? Call Meadowbrook Dental Care at (516) 284-1234 (Mineola) or (516) 346-5757 (Plainview), or visit our insurance page to see the full list of accepted plans. You can also schedule online and our team will reach out to verify your benefits before your appointment.
Verify Your Insurance Benefits
Not sure what your plan covers? Our team checks your benefits before your first appointment and gives you a clear estimate — no surprises. Call or schedule online today.