Appeal type: Medical necessity
Decision: Overturned

Diagnosis: Maxillary crowding
Treatment: D8080 comprehensive orthodontic treatment of the adolescent dentition and D8670 periodic orthodontic treatment visits
The insurer denied coverage for D8080 comprehensive orthodontic treatment of the adolescent dentition and D8670 periodic orthodontic treatment visits.
The denial is overturned.

Upon review of the submitted documentation including lateral cephalometric radiograph, panoramic radiograph, montage of extraoral and intraoral clinical images, dental treatment, and insurer correspondence, it appears that this patient presented for evaluation for orthodontic care. The orthodontist identified maxillary crowding, mandibular crowding, excessive overjet and anterior crossbite (mandibular left canine/lateral incisor). The orthodontist has completed the HLD (Handicapping Labiolingual Deviation) index as required and has chosen the automatically qualifying condition of crossbite of individual anterior teeth when clinical attachment loss and recession of the gingival margin are present. The insurer has denied coverage for orthodontic treatment as not medically necessary, as the clinical circumstance does not meet the requirements of the HLD index, attaining 7 points by internal reviewers when 26 points are required for approval. 

Upon review of the submitted documentation (study models were not provided for review) it is evident that the patient exhibits a significant 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 Labiolingual Deviation Index Report (HLD New York State Medicaid program) modeled after HLD 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 crossbite of individual anterior teeth when clinical attachment loss and recession of the gingival margin are present. This reviewer finds that this automatically qualifying condition criterion is met and does support comprehensive orthodontic care. In this case, the clinical circumstance does meet insurer and plan criteria to justify orthodontic care.

Regarding the validity of the HLD 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.

Reverse the denial, as the clinical circumstances as presented do meet and substantiate the medical/dental necessity of orthodontic care, as it meets the accepted criteria for approval.

The health care plan did not act reasonably, with sound medical judgment, or in the best interest of the patient.

D8080 comprehensive orthodontic treatment of the adolescent dentition and D8670 periodic orthodontic treatment visits are considered medically necessary for this patient. 

The insurer's denial of coverage for D8080 comprehensive orthodontic treatment of the adolescent dentition, D8670 periodic orthodontic treatment visits is overturned. Medical necessity is substantiated.