As the need for remote dentistry increases, dental practices must find a way to implement it in their offices.
Since teledentistry is new to many providers, it is important that this service is well-planned and discussed with the entire team to maximize efficiency and avoid confusion between the team and patients.
- Create a teledentistry appointment type in your practice management software, and create a spot for these appointments in your block schedule.
- Contact all insurance companies to confirm how each one is reimbursing teledentistry visits. Some payers may only be reimbursing these codes during the pandemic. In addition, ask payors if teledentistry will be reimbursed for virtual visits that cross state lines, if needed. California does not allow this.
- To be reimbursed for teledentistry visits, you must bill properly. According to the ADA’s coding guidelines for teledentistry visits, you should report one of the two designated teledentistry codes below in addition to other procedures, such as a limited exam, re-evaluation, post-operative visit, or dental case management. For example, if you examine an emergency patient through a teledentistry visit, you would bill the insurance for the D0140 — Limited Oral Evaluation, Problem Focused as well as the D9995 — Synchronous Teledentistry code.
- The main difference between the two codes below is that one should be billed for a live, two-way interaction through technology (e.g., Zoom Video or video portal) and the other should be billed when the dentist evaluates a condition using radiographs, photographs, etc. outside of a live interaction.
- D9995 Teledentistry — Synchronous; real time encounter. Reported in addition to other procedures (e.g., diagnostic) delivered to the patient on the date of service
- D9996 Teledentistry — Asynchronous; information stored and forwarded to dentist for subsequent review. Reported in addition to other procedures (e.g. diagnostic) delivered to the patient on the date of service.
Lilly Cortes-Pona is the owner and president of LCP Dental Team Coaching, a nationally recognized coaching firm specializing in pediatric dentistry since 1996.
FMI: 303.660.4390 or Info@LCPCoaching.com