Narratives for Indirect Restorations

Indirect restorations such as inlays and onlays are often not covered because the alternate benefit of a larger direct restoration such as a filling will be provided instead. When inlays or onlays are not covered the coverage for a filling is cause for alarm for patients who now must face a larger co-payment and the dental insurance company saying that an indirect restoration isn’t necessary—in so many words. It is frustrating for dentists who want to provide the best care for their patients but are penalized under the pressure of insurance benefits policies.

What narrative expedites dental insurance payment for indirect procedures?

The main indications (medical necessity) for indirect restoration placement:

1. 1. A vertical incomplete fracture of a cusp (name cusp)
   2. A complete fracture of a cusp (name cusp)
   3. A missing cusp (name cusp)
   4. The restoration is greater than 1/3 of the occlusal tooth isthmus
   5. Inadequate contact promotes periodontal disease (symptoms-describe)
   6.  inabilities to achieve an adequate contact with a direct restoration
   7. The new restoration will undermine cusps (name cusps)
   8. Abfracture lesion undermines a cusp (name cusps)
   9. Previous root canal (date and symptoms)

The Doctor has to provide one of the above diagnoses and a treatment plan to fix the problem. This is mailed to the insurance company with an x-ray and intra-oral picture (or the narrative can be typed right on the claim before it’s submitted electronically with an attachment of an x-ray and intra-oral picture).  If, on the date of service, you send a claim without supporting documentation for indirect restorations, you can add another 6-8 weeks before this claim resolves.  These claims usually go to review which is 30 or more days and if the insurance requests more documentation from you this drags out payment another 30 days if you get that far.

Additional indirect restoration tip

When you are replacing an existing indirect restoration you must ask how old that restoration is because usually there is a frequency clause in the dental plan and it will not be covered within a specified period of time. Write the original placement date on the claim. For bridges, ask when the tooth was extracted that you are replacing and get in the habit of writing this on the claim.

If you are struggling with indirect restorations consider partnering with eAssist. Our Success Consultants are familiar with the various CDT codes and will ensure they are billed correctly. To learn more, schedule a consultation here.

Dr. James V. Anderson

CEO & Co-Founder, eAssist

Dr. James Anderson is a practicing dentist and the CEO and Co-Founder of eAssist Dental Solutions, the nation’s leading platform for dental billing. A serial entrepreneur, Dr. Anderson has built multiple successful ventures, including eAssist and nine dental practices in Utah, all driven by his mission to help dentists, their teams, and their patients achieve peace of mind. He co-founded eAssist in 2011 to give dental practice owners the ability to fully outsource their billing departments—a vision that now serves over 2,400 practices nationwide. Under his leadership, the company has formed strategic partnerships with the California Dental Association and Henry Schein, and earned a spot on the Inc. 5000 list for nine consecutive years. In 2020, Dr. Anderson was recognized as Entrepreneur of the Year by Business View Magazine and ranked among the top entrepreneurs in the country by Entrepreneur Magazine. He holds a B.S. in Finance from Brigham Young University, a D.M.D. from Oregon Health & Science University, and completed the three-year O.P.M. program at Harvard Business School. He also serves as Chairman of the Dental MBA Advisory Board at Roseman Dental School.