Decoding the Codes: 2024 CDT Coding Updates
By Dr. Elizabeth Shin Perry
2024 marks the 24th year since the federal government designated the use of CDT coding as the national terminology for reporting dental services on claims submitted to third-party payers. In anticipation of a promising year in endodontics, practitioners are encouraged to proactively review and incorporate the latest CDT coding updates where appropriate, ensuring our practices remain aligned with evolving standards in dentistry.
The recently released ADA CDT 2024 Current Dental Terminology Book contains a new section for sleep apnea services, 14 new codes across the now 13 (!) procedure code groupings in the book, as well as revisions to the nomenclature for two existing codes in the Prosthodontics and Restorative chapters. While no changes were made to the Endodontics section of the book, there are several changes that may be relevant for endodontists.
CDT 2024 Changes Applicable for Endodontists
- D0396 3D printing of a 3D dental surface scan.
This code was requested by The American Academy of Oral Medicine to report post processing of an image or image sets.
- D2976 Band stabilization — per tooth.
This code can be used to report the placement of an orthodontic band for stabilization, typically cemented around a tooth after loss of structure, to add support and resistance to fracture until a full cuspal coverage restoration occurs.
- D2989 Excavation of a tooth resulting in the determination of non-restorability.
Involves excavation of hard or soft tissues, or both, as indicated. Subsequent procedures are reported with their own unique codes, offering a more nuanced approach to documenting non-restorable cases.
- D7939 Indexing for osteotomy using dynamic robotic assisted or dynamic navigation.
This code was originally requested by The American Association for Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery for “implant osteotomy”. The AAE advocated for the removal of the word “implant” so that this code may also be applicable to osteotomies for endodontic microsurgery.
New ADA Dental Claim Form
A new version of the ADA Dental Claim Form is also effective on January 1, 2024, providing crucial updates that will help streamline the claim processing. While these changes only impact the paper claim, AAE members are encouraged to review this video: ADA Dental Claim Form with office staff.
It is important to remember that the coverage and reimbursement for a specific code are based upon the policies of a patient’s dental benefit plan. Consistently coding for endodontic procedures as they occur allows endodontic practices to capture the value of their services more accurately, and to present a clearer picture of their patients’ needs to insurance providers. Utilizing and submitting codes is essential, as dental benefit plans rely on this information to determine the frequency of use and associated fees for each code. Collectively, our efforts play a crucial role in influencing the future policies of third-party payers within our specialty.
The recently updated Endodontists’ Guide to CDT is now available on the AAE’s Dental Claims Coding & Submission page. This guide includes all endodontic and non-endodontic CDT codes frequently used in endodontic practice. In addition, the CDT 2024 Current Dental Terminology and Coding Companion Books provide dental practices with an indispensable guide for accurate and up-to-date coding and are available from the ADA.
Dr. Elizabeth Shin Perry has been practicing endodontics in Westfield, Massachusetts since 1995 and holds a faculty appointment at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine. She serves as Secretary of the AAE and as the AAE Representative on the ADA’s Code Maintenance Committee. Dr. Perry is a Diplomate of the American Board of Endodontics and is the author of the Endodontics Chapter in the CDT 2024 Coding Companion.