CDT PART 1

Code changes: What you need to know


HAVE THESE NEW CODES ON HAND TO AVOID CLAIM DENIAL HEADACHES


BY MARIANNE HARPER

Editor’s note: This is the first of a three-part series that breaks down 2007’s insurance code changes. Check out next month’s article for everything you need to know about code revisions. The final installment focuses on the ADA dental claim form revision.  

FOR PART 2 - CLICK HERE
FOR PART 3 - CLICK HERE


If incorrect coding is flooding your practice with claim denials, it may just be that you’re not up to par with the latest codes. The American Dental Association publishes its coding manual every two years, complete with additions, deletions and revisions to the previous issue. This year’s version, Current Dental Terminology 2007/2008, packs a double punch with revisions to the ADA claim form.

The updated manual includes 23 new codes that you need to learn for efficient claim processing and prompt payment. Here you’ll find a review of all the additions and deletions, according to category.  Check out Dental Practice Report in August and September for the run down on revisions to the code-set and the dental claim form.

For now, read through the changes carefully, learn them and put them to use.  

Diagnostic: Six new procedure codes  
Preventive codes: Two new procedures  
Restorative: One new code

Periodontal: Two new codes
*Both cover the same procedure, anatomical crown exposure, but differ in the number of teeth involved.

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Orthodontic: One addition

General Services: Two additions

With these additions also come deletions. This year, three procedure codes were eliminated from the CDT 2007/2008 manual.


Deleted codes

Categories with no additions or deletions



Now that you’re aware of the changes, make sure your insurance coordinator adds these new codes to your practice management software. Study and become familiar with them.  It’s a good idea to have your entire staff review the new codes, possibly at a staff meeting, so everyone is familiar with how to code different procedures correctly.

Contact the ADA’s Council on Dental Benefit or me if you have any questions about these changes. The ADA e-mail for coding issues is dentalcode@ada.org. Other excellent sources for insurance information are the “Insurance Solutions Newsletter” at www.dental-ins-solutions.com and Dr. Charles Blair’s manual Coding with Confidence: The ‘Go To’ Guide for CDT 2007/2008.”

Check back next month for a run down of the CDT 2007/2008 code revisions. In the meantime, remember that insurance matters!
     
American Dental Association, CDT 2007/2008 (Chicago, IL: American Dental Association, 2006) pages 3 through 102

Marianne Harper owns The Art of Practice Management, a dental practice management consulting company.  Revenue and collection systems, front-desk systems, dental-medical cross-coding and employment law compliance are her specialties.  Marianne is a member of The Academy of Dental Management Consultants, The Professional Management Consultants Association and the Speaking Consulting Network (SCN). She is BOP Certified with Bent Ericksen and Associates, is a published author, and a respected speaker.  Visit her Web site at www.artofpracticemanagement.com or through the SCN Web site, www.speakingconsultingnetwork.com. You can also contact Marianne at 252-637-6259, 252-670-0403 or at a.p.m.1@suddenlink.net.   


FOR PART 2 - CLICK HERE
FOR PART 3 - CLICK HERE