2018 CDT Code Revisions
The 2018 Dental Code changes went into effect January 1, 2018 and include:
- 18 new codes
- 3 deleted codes
- 16 revised codes
Updating your system annually with code revisions:
- Helps clarify treatment for team members, patients and third party payers
- Pprovides accurate estimates for your patient base
- Enables proper reimbursement from third-party payers
It is important to remember a new or revised code does not dictate reimbursement from insurance providers. In fact, codes may be recognized but not reimbursed at all. Consider it a language of sorts that providers and insurance companies understand; it helps communicate the services provided in numerical terms.
Most carriers notified in-network providers as to their requirements and reimbursement protocols prior to the end of 2017. We encourage you to follow a two part protocol annually:
- Reach out to insurance companies you deal with on a regular basis to prepare for changes that occur to CDT definitions on January 1 of each year.
- Facilitate a team meeting to discuss CDT changes and how their impact may shift chart note records, posting and patient communication for the procedures you offer.
Reach out to your Burkhart Account Manager or Burkhart’s Practice Support Team with your questions regarding changes in codes, coding strategies to maximize reimbursement, and analyzing managed care participation in your practice.
18 New Codes
D0411 – HbA1c in-office point of service testing
D5511 – Repair broken complete denture base, mandibular
D5512 – Repair broken complete denture base, maxillary
D5611 – Repair resin partial denture base, mandibular
D5612 – Repair resin partial denture base, maxillary
D5621 – Repair cast partial framework, mandibular
D5622 – Repair cast partial framework, mandibular
D6096 – Remove broken implant retaining screw
D6118 – Implant/abutment supported interim fixed denture for edentulous arch—mandibular used when a period of healing is necessary prior to fabrication and placement of a permanent
D6119 – Implant/abutment supported interim fixed denture for edentulous arch—maxillary
D7296 – Corticotomy—one to three teeth or tooth spaces, per quadrant
D7297 – Corticotomy—four or more teeth or tooth spaces, per quadrant
D7979 – Non-surgical sialolithotomy
D8695 – Removal of fixed orthodontic appliances for reasons other than completion of treatment
D9222 – Deep sedation/general anesthesia—first 15 minutes
D9239 – Intravenous moderate (conscious) sedation/analgesia—first 15 minutes
D9995 – Teledentistry—synchronous; real-time encounter
D9996 – Teledentistry—asynchronous; information stored and forwarded to dentist for subsequent review
3 Deleted Codes
D5510 – Repair broken complete denture base
D5610 – Repair resin denture base
D5620 – Repair cast framework
16 Revised Codes
D1354 – Interim caries arresting medicament application—per tooth is clarified
D1555 – Removal of fixed space maintainer
D2740 – Crown—porcelain/ceramic substrate—removed “substrate.” Clarifies this code is for all ceramic and porcelain crowns
D3320 – Endodontic therapy, premolar tooth (excluding final restoration)—replaced “bicuspid” with “premolar”
D3330 – Endodontic therapy, molar tooth (excluding final restoration)—added the term “tooth”
D3347 – Retreatment of previous root canal therapy—premolar— replaced “bicuspid” with “premolar”
D3421 – Apicoectomy—bicuspid premolar (first root)—replaced “bicuspid” with “premolar”
D3426 – Apicoectomy—(each additional root)—replaced “bicuspid” with “premolar”
D7111 – Extraction, coronal remnants, primary tooth—replaced “deciduous” with “primary”
D4230 – Anatomical crown exposure—four or more contiguous teeth or bounded tooth spaces per quadrant
D4231 – Anatomical crown exposure—one to three teeth or bounded tooth spaces per quadrant
D4355 – Full mouth debridement to enable a comprehensive oral evaluation and diagnosis on a subsequent visit—defines it can’t occur on the same day as D0150, D0160 or D0180
D6081 – Scaling and debridement in the presence of inflammation or mucositis of a single implant, including cleaning of the implant surfaces, without flap entry and closure—clarifies it can’t occur with D1110, D4346 or D4910
D7980 – Surgical sialolithotomy—added the term “surgical”
D9223 – Deep sedation/general anesthesia—each subsequent 15 minute increment
D9243 – Intravenous moderate (conscious) sedation/analgesia— each subsequent 15 minute increment
Your success is our success. Please reach out to us anytime.
Learn more, visit the Practice Support Team page, call 1.800.665.5323 or email us at PracticeSupportTeam@BurkhartDental.com
Category: Practice Consulting
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