Dental Benefits
Overview
Refer to the Overview section under Dental Services in the Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) Provider Manual.
Covered Services
All MHCP covered services must be medically necessary, appropriate, and the most cost-effective for the medical needs of the MHCP member. Review the MHCP Fee Schedule for a current list of all MHCP covered codes. The services listed in the following tables have defined service limits and, for some, Prior Authorization (PA) requirements.
This following list of covered services is not all-inclusive. Refer to the Dental Authorization Requirement Tables for additional authorization criteria.
Diagnostic
Covered services include clinical oral evaluations, diagnostic imaging, and some tests and examinations.
Clinical Oral Evaluations
Keep all documentation with the member's record, including notation of the specific oral health problem or complaint.
CDT Code(s) | Description | Service Limits |
D0120 | Periodic exam | Once per year Cannot be performed on same date as D0140, D0145, D0150, D0160, D0180 or D4355 |
D0140 | Limited exam | Once per day per facility Documentation must include notation of the specific oral health problem or complaint Cannot be performed on same date as D0120, D0145, D0150, D0160, D0180 or D1110 |
D0145 | Oral evaluation for a patient under 3 years of age | Once per lifetime Cannot be performed on same date as D1330 |
D0150 | Comprehensive exam | Once per five years Cannot be performed on same date as D0120, D0140, D0145, D0160,D0180 or D4355 |
D0160 | Detailed and extensive oral evaluation | Cannot be performed on same date as D0120, D0140, D0145, D0150, D0180 or D4355 |
D0180 | Comprehensive periodontal evaluation | Cannot be performed on same date as D0120, D0140, D0145 D0150, D0160 or D4355 |
Diagnostic Imaging
CDT Code(s) | Description | Service Limits |
D0220 – D0240 D0250 | Intraoral - periapical radiographic images Extra-oral - 2D projection radiographic Image | Four per date of service (does not include intraoral-complete series) |
D0270 – D0274 D0277 | Bitewings - 1 to 4 radiographic images Vertical bitewings - 7 to 8 radiographic images | One series per calendar year |
D0330 D0340 | Panoramic radiographic image 2D cephalometric radiographic image | Once per five years except: |
D0372 | Intraoral tomosynthesis - comprehensive series of radiographic images | Covered for patients in operating room only. |
D0373 | Intraoral tomosynthesis - bitewing 1 to 4 radiographic images Vertical bitewings - 7 to 8 radiographic images | One series per calendar year. |
D0374 | Intraoral tomosynthesis - periapical radiographic image | Four per date of service (does not include intraoral-complete series) |
Exceptions to Full-mouth X-rays
Exceptions Guidelines | Authorization Required | Documentation Required |
When medically necessary for the diagnosis and follow-up of oral and maxillofacial pathology and trauma | No | AUC Cover Sheet |
Once every two years for children who cannot cooperate for intraoral film due to disability or medical condition that does not allow for intraoral film placement | No | AUC Cover Sheet |
When medically necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of symptomatic third molars if root formation has been completed since the last panoramic x-ray was taken | Yes | Diagnostic quality copy of the initial panoramic x-ray with the exposure date indicated |
Preventive
Covered services include dental prophylaxis, topical fluoride treatment, some preventive services, and space maintenance and maintainers.
CDT Code(s) | Description | Service Limits |
D1110 | Prophylaxis - adult | Twice per calendar year MHCP will pay for up to two additional D1110 per year, with a maximum of four per year.Provider is obligated to maintain treatment plan and rationale for increased D1110 in the dental record. Prior authorization is no longer required for additional D1110. |
D1120 | Prophylaxis - child | Twice per calendar year MHCP will pay for up to two additional D1120 per year, with a maximum of four per year. Provider is obligated to maintain treatment plan and rationale for increased D1120 in the dental record. |
D1206 and D1208 | Topical fluoride treatment | Once per six months Cannot be performed on same date as D9910 |
D1301 | Immunization Counseling | Once per member per year |
D1310 | Nutritional Counseling for control of dental disease | Once per member per year |
D1320 | Tobacco Counseling for the control and prevention of oral disease | Once per member per year |
D1321 | Counseling for the control and prevention of adverse oral, behavioral, and systemic health effects associated with high-risk substance use | Once per member per year |
D1330 | Oral hygiene instructions | Once per member per year Cannot be performed on same date as D0145 |
D1351 | Sealant - per tooth | Permanent molars only (tooth numbers 1-3, 14-16, 17-19, 30-32) Once per tooth per five years |
D1354 | Application of caries arresting medicament – per tooth | Once per six months per tooth Tooth number is required |
Restorative
Covered services include amalgam restorations, resin-based composite restorations, some crowns, and other restorative services. MHCP prohibits balance billing posterior composites to the member (billing the MHCP member for the difference between what MHCP pays and what the provider charges). MHCP will reimburse all posterior fillings at the amalgam rate.
CDT Code(s) | Description | Service Limits |
D2140 – D2161 | Amalgam restorations (including polishing) | Limited to once per 90 days for the same tooth |
D2330 – D2394 | Resin-based composite restorations | Limited to once per 90 days for the same tooth |
D2710 - D2722 | Crowns- single restorations Resin or resin/metal | Authorization is required for D2720 - D2722 Laboratory resin crowns that meet the specifications of utilization review |
D2930-D2934 | Prefabricated stainless steel and/or resin crowns | |
D2940 | Protective restoration | Allowed only for relief of pain Cannot be performed on same date as D9110 |
D2976 | Band Stabilization per tooth | Limited to once per 90 days for the same tooth |
D2989 | Excavation of tooth resulting in the determination of non-restorability | Limited to once per tooth number |
D2991 | Application of hydroxyapatite regeneration medicament – per tooth | Once per date of service |
Noncovered Pulp Cap Services
Direct (D3110) and Indirect (D3120) pulp caps are not a covered service and may not be billed to the member. Refer to Noncovered Services section under Dental Services in the MHCP Provider Manual for more information.
Endodontics
Covered services include pulpotomy, endodontic therapy on primary teeth, endodontic therapy, endodontic retreatment, apexification/recalcification, some apicoectomy/periradicular services, and other endodontic procedures.
MHCP covers anterior, premolar, and molar endodontics once per tooth per lifetime.
Periodontics
Covered services include some surgical services, some non-surgical periodontal services, and other periodontal services.
CDT Code(s) | Description | Service Limits |
D4341 and D4342 | Periodontal scaling and root planing | Once per two years Cannot be performed on same day as D1110 or D4355 Authorization is always required Must meet the specifications of utilization criteria Use oral cavity indicators to designate the quadrants where the service was or will be provided: 10 (upper right), 20 (upper left), 30 (lower left), or 40 (lower right) |
D4355 | Full mouth debridement to enable a comprehensive oral evaluation and diagnosis on a subsequent visit | Once per five years Cannot be performed on same date as D1110, D0150, D0160, or D0180 |
D4322 | Splint – intra-coronal | Once per 12 months |
D4323 | Splint – extra-coronal | Once per 12 months |
D4910 | Periodontal maintenance | Effective July 1, 2021, D4910 periodontal maintenance is allowed once every 91 days for 730 days following a paid service line with periodontal scaling and root planing (per quadrant) D4341 or D4342. After 24 months, D4910 is not payable unless D4341 or D4342 are performed again under a new prior authorization. |
Prosthodontics
Removable Prosthodontics
Covered services include complete and partial dentures, adjustments and repairs, rebase and relines, interim prosthesis, and other prosthetic services.
Fixed Prosthodontics
Covered services include fixed partial denture pontics, some retainers, retainer crowns, and other fixed partial denture services.
MHCP will approve the removable partial denture if the member is missing an anterior tooth and radiographs demonstrate adequate space for replacement of the missing anterior tooth, or if:
MHCP will allow a removable partial denture opposing a complete denture to provide balancing occlusion. Balancing occlusion is lacking when five posterior teeth are missing or both molars are missing on one side.
Service Limits
Initial placement or replacement of a removable prosthesis is limited to once every three years per member unless one or more of these conditions apply:
Prosthodontic Documentation Instruction
Service for a removable prosthesis must include instruction in the use and care of the prosthesis and any adjustment necessary to achieve a proper fit during the six months immediately following the provision of the prosthesis. Document the instruction and the necessary adjustments, if any, in the member’s dental record.
House Calls for Removable Prosthesis
House calls (D9410) for fitting removable prosthesis is a covered services limited to up to five visits in a calendar year. Bill house calls D9410 with D5992; D9410 will pay at the current rate and D5992 will pay at $0.
Undeliverable Removable Prostheses Instruction
MHCP pays a percentage payment of the scheduled allowable for undeliverable removable prostheses. All authorization requirements are still applicable. Submit an attachment for the claim that documents the following:
Fax a completed AUC Uniform Cover Sheet for Health Care Claims with the required documentation by end of the next business day after submitting the electronic claim. Keep the completed prosthesis in the provider's office, in a deliverable condition, for a period of at least two years. MHCP prorates payment based on the percentage completed and utilization review (analysis of the distribution of treatment based on claims information).
CDT Code(s) | Description | Service Limits |
D5110 - D5140 D5810 and D5811 | Complete dentures (including routine post-delivery care) | One removable appliance per dental arch per three years. Authorization is not required for initial placement of complete dentures. Subsequent complete dentures Authorization is always required, and are limited to one arch every three years. Replacement dentures fabricated after three years do not require a prior authorization. |
D5211 – D5226 D5820 and D5821 | Partial dentures (including routine post-delivery care) | One removable appliance per dental arch per three years. |
D5410 – D5422 D5511- D5520 | Adjustments and repairs to complete dentures | D5520, D5640 and D5650 are limited to five teeth per 180 days |
D5611 - D5671 | Repairs to partial dentures | D5520, D5640 and D5650 are limited to five teeth per 180 days |
D5710 – D5721 D5730 – D5761 | Denture rebase and reline procedures | |
D5850 and D5851 | Tissue conditioning, maxillary or mandibular | Insertion of tissue conditioning liners are limited to once per denture unit: Bill tissue conditioning once at the completion of treatment, regardless of the number of visits involved |
D5863 –D5866 | Overdenture | Authorization is always required For each dental arch, removable prostheses are limited to one every three years |
Maxillofacial Prosthetics
Covered services include some prostheses and some carriers.
Implant Services
Covered services include some pre-surgical services, some implant supported prosthetics, abutment supported single crowns, fixed partial denture (FPD) retainers, and other implant services. Use the Dental Implants Authorization Form (DHS-3538) (PDF).
CDT Code(s) | Description | Service Limits |
D6092 and D6093 | Re-cement or re-bond implant/abutment supported crown or fixed partial denture | Subject to utilization review |
D6058 – D6094 | Single crowns, abutment supported | |
D6068 – D6194 | Fixed partial denture (FPD) retainer, abutment supported |
Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Covered services include extractions, other surgical procedures, excision of soft tissue lesions, excision of intra-osseous lesions, and excision of bone tissue, some surgical incision, and other repair procedures.
The primary services or procedures must be covered services under MHCP for ancillary services to be covered. If the primary procedure is not a covered service, regardless of the complexity or difficulty, MHCP will not cover services such as the administration of anesthesia, diagnostic x-rays and other related procedures.
Dentists and oral surgeons who perform medical procedures must follow the practitioner and general authorization guidelines for exams, consultation, radiology, surgery, anesthesia, and laboratory services.
CDT Code(s) | Description | Service Limits |
D7220 – D7251 | Extractions |
Orthodontics
All MHCP Orthodontia Programs
Orthodontia services require prior authorization. Submit prior authorization requests to the medical reviewer, medical review agent. Medical review agent will approve all prior authorizations with a three-year limit from the time of request to allow adequate time for service delivery. Coverage limits based on program still apply. Providers must consider this in treatment plans.
Orthodontic care usually requires lengthy treatment. MHCP recommends that the provider discuss the expected eligibility period with the family and the county human services agency before initiating treatment. This will clarify the eligibility policies and help reduce denial of payment due to subsequent ineligibility. A member’s eligibility can terminate or may go from fee-for-service to a managed care organization on a month-to-month basis.
Providers are encouraged to consult with patients, parents or guardians regarding non-compliance and disregard for instructions. Providers may terminate treatment and remove all appliances until a later time when the member is more mature and can follow instructions. Compliance is critical for a successful orthodontic outcome. Non-compliance with orthodontic treatment can negatively affect the memberby exacerbating oral disease.
CDT Code(s) | Description | Service Limits |
D8010 – D8040 D8070 – D8090 | Limited orthodontic treatment Comprehensive orthodontic treatment |
Adjunctive General Services
Covered services include some unclassified treatments, anesthesia, some professional consultation and professional visits, drugs, and some miscellaneous services.
CDT Code(s) | Description | Service Limits |
D9110 | Palliative (emergency) treatment of dental pain | Once per day |
D9222 – D9248 | Anesthesia, deep sedation, nitrous oxide/analgesia, anxiolysis | The determination of medical necessity for general anesthesia in conjunction with dental services must consider the information related to general anesthesia established under the “Behavior Guidance for the Pediatric Dental Patient” by the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry and the American Dental Society Anesthesia ADSA | American Dental Society of Anesthesiology (adsahome.org) |
D9410 | House or extended care facility call | Cannot be billed alone. Must be used in conjunction with another MHCP covered service Cannot be performed on same date as D1330 or D0999 MHCP considers services performed in a school,Head Start, day program, or group home program as house calls |
D9610 and D9612 | Therapeutic parenteral drug | |
D9630 | Drugs or medicaments dispensed in the office for home use | |
D9910 | Application of desensitizing medicament | |
D9920 | Behavior management | When additional staff time is required to accommodate behavioral challenges and sedation is not used |
D9951 | Occlusal adjustment - limited | Once per day |
D9952 | Occlusal adjustment - complete |
Community Health Worker – Patient Education
Refer to the Community Health Worker (CHW) section in the MHCP Provider Manual for patient education covered services.
Authorization
The criteria for services which require a prior authorization are listed on Dental Authorization Requirement Tables. Submit requests electronically using MN–ITS user guides for Submit an Authorization Request for Dental Services, or for consolidated providers Submit an Authorization Request for Dental Services with Consolidated NPIs. Do not submit authorization requests to the medical review agent for services that do not require authorization or are noncovered services; they incur unnecessary costs and the medical review agent will not approve these requests.
Billing
Drugs
Enter additional information in the notes section of the 837D, including the name of the drug, National Drug Code and dosage.
Orthodontic Billing
Use D8660 pre-orthodontic treatment visit to report orthodontic full case study.
Comprehensive orthodontic treatment
Non-comprehensive orthodontic treatment
MHCP considers replacement or recementing of one or two brackets due to reasonable wear and tear a part of the total orthodontic treatment. Recementing of brackets due to a failure of the patient to comply with provider instructions is a noncovered service and the provider may bill the member for the cost. Since recementation of brackets is not a covered service, the provider is not required to submit charges to MHCP.
The retention phase of orthodontic treatment is a component of the total orthodontic care for which the provider is reimbursed. The type of retention is a choice made by the provider. Do not bill the member.
MHCP authorization and Third Party Liability (TPL) or other insurance billing instructions
If MHCP approves an authorization for an initial appliance placement and subsequent monthly adjustments, bill the TPL or other insurance following the correct method based on whether the TPL or insurance pays an initial down payment or pays over the entire course of the orthodontic treatment.
If the MHCP authorization approves only monthly adjustments, bill the TPL or other insurance according to the following if the TPL or other insurance makes payments over the course of the treatment:
Legal References
Minnesota Rules, 9505.0270 (Dental Services)
Minnesota Statutes, 256B.0625, subdivision 9 (Covered Services; Dental services)
Minnesota Statutes, 256B.0625, subdivision 25b (Authorization with third-party liability)
Minnesota Statutes, 256B.0625, subdivision 49 (Community health worker)