6 Underutilized CDT Codes for Dental Hygiene Treatment
The one thing I wished I had learned in hygiene school was how to understand current dental terminology (CDT) codes better. However, this wasn’t even mentioned in passing in my program.
I understand these codes and insurance should not in any way dictate treatment recommendations; however, understanding these codes and their limitations helps to have conversations with patients regarding the recommended treatment. I do want to preface this article with a clear call to action to never let insurance coverage dictate what treatment you provide or recommend.
With that said, I want to review some CDT codes that you are likely not utilizing that may help your patients in the event their insurance covers the procedure. Even if the procedure is not covered, we should report what we do to the insurance company.
Even though some hygiene programs do not teach anything about coding or the CDT codes, we all learn the basics very quickly: D1110 (prophy), D0274 (4 bitewings), D4346 (scaling in the presence of gingival inflammation), D4341 (periodontal scaling 4+ teeth), and so on...
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I understand these codes and insurance should not in any way dictate treatment recommendations; however, understanding these codes and their limitations helps to have conversations with patients regarding the recommended treatment. I do want to preface this article with a clear call to action to never let insurance coverage dictate what treatment you provide or recommend.
With that said, I want to review some CDT codes that you are likely not utilizing that may help your patients in the event their insurance covers the procedure. Even if the procedure is not covered, we should report what we do to the insurance company.
Even though some hygiene programs do not teach anything about coding or the CDT codes, we all learn the basics very quickly: D1110 (prophy), D0274 (4 bitewings), D4346 (scaling in the presence of gingival inflammation), D4341 (periodontal scaling 4+ teeth), and so on...
Click Here to Read More