Appeal type: Medical necessity
Decision: Upheld

Diagnosis: Malocclusion

Treatment: D8080 braces, D8670 monthly visit

The insurer denied coverage for D8080 braces, D8670 monthly visit

The denial is upheld. 

Upon review of the submitted documentation including lateral cephalometric radiograph, panoramic radiograph, montage of extraoral and intraoral clinical images, as well as insurer correspondence, and narrative letter from the parent, it appears that this patient presented for evaluation for orthodontic care. The orthodontist recommended comprehensive orthodontics due to impacted permanent anterior teeth among other findings. The orthodontist has completed the Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation (HLD) index as required and has chosen the automatically qualifying condition of impacted permanent anteriors where extraction is not indicated. The insurer has denied coverage for orthodontic treatment as not medically necessary as the clinical circumstance does not meet the required handicapping malocclusion medical necessity requirements on the HLD index attaining only 14 points on review by internal reviewers. 

Upon review of the submitted documentation, (study models were not provided for review), it is evident that the patient exhibits a malocclusion.  However, to assess for severity of the malocclusion and therefore medical/dental necessity for orthodontic care, New York State requires, as of September 1, 2012, the use of an orthodontic Index, the Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation Index Report (HLD, New York State Medicaid program) modeled after Handicapping Labiolingual Deviation Index. This index provides six specific conditions that automatically qualify for orthodontic care.  Additional criteria are used utilizing a point system if none of these initial qualifying conditions are met or selected.  For these other secondary criteria to qualify for orthodontic care a total score of 26 points is necessary. 

In this case, the treating orthodontist claims an automatic qualifying condition of impacted permanent anteriors where extraction is not indicated. The reviewer finds this criterion is not met as the anterior dentition is almost completely erupted into the arch and the HLD index attains 14 points which is below the threshold of 26 or more points which is necessary for approval of orthodontic care. 

Regarding the validity of the Handicapping Labiolingual Index, it has been shown through scientific scrutiny in peer reviewed journals that this methodology for assessing orthodontic need is a valid approach.  Each of these peer reviewed articles concludes that this index is a valid and reliable determinant of need for orthodontic care.  As this is an accepted methodology, this has been determined to represent an appropriate approach for assessing orthodontic need.  

Uphold denial as the clinical circumstance as presented does not substantiate medical/dental necessity of orthodontic care.

The healthcare plan acted reasonably and with sound medical judgment in the best interest of the patient.

D8080 braces, D8670 monthly visit did not considered medically necessary for this patient.

Based on the above, the insurer's denial must be upheld. The health care plan did act reasonably and with sound medical judgment and in the best interest of the patient. 

The medical necessity for D8080 Braces, D8670 monthly visits is not substantiated.