Code updates effective in January 2023
The Code on Dental Procedures and Nomenclature (the Code), commonly known as Current Dental Terminology, or CDT, is the current HIPAA-designated code set used in electronic dental data interchange. As such, the Code is the national standard for reporting dental services and is the principal means of communication between dentists and dental benefits payers.
Any dental claim submitted electronically on a HIPAA-standard electronic dental claim must use procedure codes from the current version of the Code. The Code is also used for dental claims submitted on paper.
The Code is regularly updated to reflect changes in dental procedures accepted by the dental community. The Code is now reviewed and revised by the American Dental Association (ADA) on an annual cycle, with each revised version effective on January 1 every year.
A revised version of the Code, as published by the ADA in the manual titled “CDT 2023: Dental Procedure Codes,” will be effective January 1, 2023, for services provided on or after January 1, 2023, through December 31, 2023.
The 2023 version of the Code incorporates a significant number of procedure code changes, with 22 new procedure code entries, two deleted code entries and 14 revised procedure code entries.
Newly added codes include:
- six codes in regards to intraoral tomosynthesis radiographic images
- four new 3D dental and facial surface scans (direct and indirect)
- three new codes for the human papillomavirus vaccinations
- a code to be used for the removal of a non-resorbable barrier
- a code to be used in regards to the removal of an implant body not requiring bone removal or flap elevation
- four new codes for guided tissue regeneration for implants or an edentulous (resorbable and non-resorbable barriers)
- a code to be used for the replacement of restorative materials used to close an access opening of a screw-retained implant-supported prosthesis
- a code for marsupialization of an odontogenic cyst
- one code for the reline of sleep apnea appliance
Along with the CDT 2023 procedure code changes, the following claim and processing procedures will be effective January 1, 2023: Benefit coverage:
New procedure codes and associated processing policies: Diagnostics: D0372–D0374 (intraoral tomosynthesis—comprehensive series; bitewing; periapical) Intraoral tomosynthesis images will be subject to review; fees for traditional radiographic images (D0210/D0270–D0277/D0220–D0230) will be not billable to the patient when billed in conjunction with intraoral tomosynthesis images.
Periodontics:
Implant services:
Adjunctive general services: |
With all the new code changes, we recommend that dentists and dental offices verify covered services for patients before rendering treatment. Details of individual coverage can be verified by logging in to the Dental Office Toolkit®.
Accurate coding promotes faster claim processing and fewer errors, so Delta Dental recommends that each dental office have a current copy of the Code. To order a copy of the 2023 Code, call the ADA at 800-947-4746, or visit www.adacatalog.org