Appeal type: Medical necessity
Decision: Overturned

Diagnosis: Open bite, Incisor Protrusion, Class II Canines, Maxillary and Mandibular Crowding, and Anterior Crossbite with Gingival Attachment Loss (mandibular lateral incisor)
Treatment: Braces
The insurer denied braces.
The denial was overturned.

This is a patient who consulted an orthodontist for orthodontic care. A diagnostic evaluation was performed that included lateral cephalometric radiograph, panoramic radiograph, montage of extraoral and intraoral clinical images. The orthodontist recommended comprehensive orthodontics due to open bite, incisor protrusion, Class II canines, maxillary and mandibular crowding, and anterior crossbite with gingival attachment loss (mandibular lateral incisor).  The orthodontist completed the Handicapping Labio-Lingual Deviation (HLD) 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 required handicapping malocclusion medical necessity requirements attaining a score of 9 points on the HLD index where 26 points is required.  

Upon review of the submitted documentation, 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 the use of an orthodontic Index, the Handicapping Labia-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 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 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.  The peer reviewed articles conclude 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 denial as the clinical circumstance as presented does substantiate medical/dental necessity of orthodontic care.

The healthcare plan did not act reasonably or with sound medical judgment or in the best interest of the patient. Braces are considered medically necessary for this patient.

The carrier's denial of coverage for braces is overturned.  The medical necessity is substantiated.