How it works at Andros Orthodontics
- Free consultation. Dr. Andros examines your child, we take the records Apple Health requires, and we tell you the same day whether the case is likely to qualify.
- We file the prior authorization. Our team handles the HLD scoring, the paperwork, and every follow-up with Apple Health. You don't chase anything.
- Approval, usually in 2–6 weeks. We call you with the result and book the placement appointment.
- Treatment. Visits every 6–8 weeks in our Pasco office until the braces come off and the retainers go on.
Who qualifies
Washington Apple Health covers orthodontics as a medically necessary service, not a cosmetic one. The state scores each case on the Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation (HLD) Index. Cases with a significant overbite, underbite, crossbite, severe crowding, impacted teeth, or a jaw discrepancy often qualify. Mildly crooked teeth usually don't. You don't need to work out the score yourself — that's what the free consultation is for.
If you're not sure whether your child is enrolled, check at hca.wa.gov or call our front desk; we help families sort this out every week.
If the case isn't approved
You owe nothing — not for the consultation, not for the records, not for the submission. From there it's your choice. Some cases can be resubmitted with stronger documentation. Or you can move forward as a private-pay patient, which is where our in-house plans come in: no credit check, interest-free financing available, and most families land around $150 to $200 a month. There's no obligation either way, and you'll leave the consultation knowing exactly where you stand.
Getting here from Kennewick and Richland
Our single office is at 5701 Bedford St in west Pasco, off the Road 100 exit — the last exit before the bridge to Richland, which skips the Road 68 traffic. That's about 12 minutes from central Kennewick and 10 minutes from Richland. Wednesday hours run until 6 PM. Parking is free.
Common questions
Does Andros Orthodontics accept Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) for braces?
Yes. Andros Orthodontics in Pasco, WA accepts Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) for orthodontic treatment in qualifying cases, ages 20 and under. If Apple Health approves the case, treatment is covered in full and the family pays $0. The consultation is free, and our team submits the prior authorization to Apple Health on your behalf.
Who qualifies for Medicaid braces in Washington?
Two things must be true: the patient is enrolled in Washington Apple Health (most children under 19 in low- to middle-income households qualify, and many young adults up to age 20), and the orthodontic case meets the state’s medical-necessity threshold on the HLD (Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation) Index. Significant overbites, underbites, crossbites, severe crowding, and impacted teeth often qualify; purely cosmetic cases usually do not. Dr. Andros scores the case for you at the free consultation.
What does Apple Health cover when a case is approved?
Everything. If Washington Apple Health approves the case, treatment is covered in full and the family pays $0 — that includes diagnostic records, traditional metal braces, every adjustment visit, emergency visits for loose brackets or poking wires, and retainers after treatment. Clear aligners and ceramic braces are not covered, though families can sometimes pay the difference to upgrade.
How long does Apple Health approval take?
Approval from Washington Apple Health usually takes 2 to 6 weeks after we submit the records. We call you with the result and schedule the placement appointment.
What if my child is not approved?
Nothing is owed for the consultation or the submission either way. If Apple Health denies the case, you can choose to move forward as a private-pay patient — that is when our in-house plans apply, most families around $150 to $200 a month, with no credit check and interest-free financing available. Some cases can also be resubmitted with stronger documentation. There is no obligation to proceed.
Do you serve Apple Health patients from Kennewick and Richland?
Yes. Our single office is in west Pasco at 5701 Bedford St, off the Road 100 exit, about 12 minutes from central Kennewick and 10 minutes from Richland. Apple Health patients come from across the Tri-Cities, Burbank, Finley, and Connell.
¿Aceptan Apple Health (Medicaid) para frenos?
Sí. Andros Orthodontics en Pasco acepta Washington Apple Health (Medicaid) para casos de ortodoncia que califican, hasta los 20 años. La consulta es gratis y todo nuestro equipo habla español.
For the full background on how Washington's program works, read Does Medicaid cover braces in Washington? or, en español, ¿Medicaid cubre frenos en Washington?