Many dentists are under the misconception, for various reasons, that medical plan benefits can only be accessed in cases involving trauma, but this cannot be further from the truth. Current medical plans on the market cover a wide variety of procedures, ranging from simple examinations and consultations, such as oral cancer screenings and exams for minor issues like herpetic lesions, aphthous lesions, tori, Candidiasis and dry mouth, to the more complex, such as atrophy of the alveolar bone and pneumatization (enlargement) of the sinus as a result of tooth loss. In addition, both surgical and nonsurgical treatments for these and a myriad of other infectious, inflammatory and pathological problems are medically covered, including therapeutic (topical) treatments, periodontal surgical services, Stage I and II implant treatment, TMD, orthodontic and sleep apnea appliances, and oral and dental procedures related to traumatic injury.
This two-day presentation will discuss the different medical plans and the basics of medical diagnosis and procedure coding, as well as the associated documentation requirements. Many claim examples for procedures commonly performed in the comprehensive dental office will also be presented and discussed. A supervised workshop component, during which participants will code their own patients' procedures and surgeries, concludes the course.
