By Teresa Duncan, M.S.

As more offices add implant services to their offerings, the ADIA receives more requests for help with coding these services. An increasingly popular procedure for implant treatment is to retrofit an existing denture for use with locator attachments. Many offices are unsure whether or not they can seek reimbursement for this service from insurance benefit plans. If the plan pays for prosthetic procedures such as partials, dentures, and implants, then there is a good chance that you will be able to receive some level of reimbursement for retrofitting of a denture.

The procedure consists of taking a patient's existing denture and fitting it to newly placed implants. This anchors the denture to the implants, which are ankylossed to the bone — enabling better function and fit. Patients who have this done are thrilled that they were able to use their existing denture. The benefit that they may not realize fully at the time is that the implants are helping to preserve bone they would otherwise have lost with a nonanchored prosthetic.

The codes for retrofitting of a denture can include:

• Prefabricated abutment, if used: D6056
• Precision attachment (this your locator attachment) per unit: D5862
• Retrofitting (modification) of an existing prosthetic: D5875

And don't forget to charge for the implants! The code per unit is D6010. Many people ask me if it is still the same code if they use a small-diameter or mini-implant. My question to them is, "Will the implant serve as a permanent placement?" If the question is yes, then use D6010. The intended use for D6012 or interim implant is just what it says — interim or temporary usage. The code D6010 is appropriate in the case of retrofitting a denture since the implants are intended for permanent placement.

With more than 20 years of health-care experience, Teresa addresses topics such as insurance coding, fraud and embezzlement, and new media marketing. She is a Fellow and educator for the Association of Dental Implant Auxiliaries. Teresa is also co-author of "The Ultimate Office Planner," a newsletter for dental administrators and dentists. You can visit Teresa's blog at http://www.thedentalimplantblog.com or her Web site at http://www.odysseymgmt.com. She can be reached by e-mail at teresa@odysseymgmt.com.