Every year, the American Dental Association (ADA) updates CDT codes in accordance with recommendations from the Code Maintenance Committee. This year, there are six categories being updated. Make sure that your billing staff understands these changes and is prepared for them to take effect. Here are ten things to know about the new changes to CDT codes.
Changes to Current CDT Codes
As part of the annual updates, the Code Maintenance Committee approved 29 new codes, 14 code revisions, and 2 deletions. A full list of changes will be made available, but the revisions include clarifications that will make using the proper CDT codes easier. For example, through December 31, 2022, a radiographic survey of the mouth includes 14-22 posterior and periapical bitewing images and no extraoral panoramic radiograph. Because many patients will only elect for radiographs covered by insurance, even if they might assist the dentist in diagnosing issues, this was revised to more realistically reflect what makes a complete set of images. The new code will no longer state the specific number of images that need to be captured to allow for a better patient experience.
Based on what the ADA has released so far, new codes will include six procedure codes for guided tissue regeneration, a code for administering the HPV vaccine, and four codes to cover 3D dental and facial scanning procedures. This is the first time that codes for the HPV vaccine will be included.
The revisions and other updates will include seven COVID-19 vaccination codes, six diagnostic imaging codes, and additional clarification for the verbiage and descriptions of several codes for orthodontics, adjunctive general services, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and periodontics. The imaging codes include specific codes for tomosynthesis, bitewings, and periapicals.
Non-Vaccine Codes Go Into Effect January 1, 2023
While COVID-19 vaccination codes are considered in effect immediately, the other new codes, revisions, and deletions will go into effect on January 1, 2023.
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