Billing Guideline for D2799 - INTERIM CROWN - FURTHER TREATMENT OR COMPLETION OF DIAGNOSIS NECESSARY PRIOR TO FINAL IMPRESSION
Solutions
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Description
This is an optional lesson that covers advanced billing guidelines. It is not required but may be helpful for further learning.
May 06, 2025
D2799 - INTERIM CROWN - FURTHER TREATMENT OR COMPLETION OF DIAGNOSIS NECESSARY PRIOR TO FINAL IMPRESSION
Not to be used as a temporary crown for a routine prosthetic restoration.
WARNING
1. Do not report an interim crown (D2799) as a temporary crown used for routine crown restoration procedures.
2. Do not report D2799 for resin based crowns intended to be definitive restorations.
WATCH
1. D2799 reports a single unit interim crown of any duration on a natural tooth.
2. See D6253/D6793 for a multi-unit interim bridge of any duration.
3. See D6085 for an interim implant crown.
4. See D2976 band stabilization-per tooth for interim stabilization of a multisurface restoration.
COMMENTS
1. D2799 reports an interim crown. This type of interim restoration allows time for healing, diagnosis, or completion of other procedures, prior to the fabrication of the final definitive restoration.
2. Interim restorations may be used to change the vertical dimension, complete periodontal therapy, diagnose cracked tooth syndrome, etc.
3. An interim crown (D2799) can be placed on a fractured tooth to see if symptoms subside with full coverage or if endodontic therapy will be necessary.
4. D2799 does not specify the material or fabrication method. It may be made chairside, laboratory fabricated, prefabricated, milled, or 3D printed.
5. Enter the tooth number being treated in Box 27 of the 2024 ADA Dental Claim Form.
LIMITATIONS
1. An interim crown (D2799) is placed as an interim restoration and allows time for healing, diagnosis, or completion of other procedures. An interim bridge (D6253/D6793) functions in like manner. Most dental plans exclude interim procedures but these restorations are utilized as needed and can impact payment of the final prosthesis. This "interim" principal also applies to interim partial dentures (D5820/D5821), e.g., flippers, stayplates, etc., and interim complete dentures (D5810/D5811). Although CDT does not specify a minimum or a maximum amount of time these removable procedures must be in place, be aware that contracts often limit reimbursement based on how long the interim restoration is in the mouth. Some plans may consider the interim restoration a permanent restoration/prosthesis from the reimbursement perspective if the restoration/prosthesis is in place for 12 months or longer. (Some plans consider an interim crown to be permanent after six months.) This means that an interim crown (D2799), bridge, partial, or full denture can be subject to a plan's prosthetic replacement limitation. The submission of a claim for an interim restoration/prosthesis may prevent the patient from receiving coverage on the permanent restoration for up to 10 years depending on the contract's language.
2. D2799 is reimbursed in limited circumstances. D2799 may apply in multi-staged treatment situations or where the interim restoration is being used to diagnose a tooth fracture or some other pathology.
3. Reimbursement for D2799 is highly variable among payors.
TIPS
1. Use D6253 to report an interim pontic and D6793 to report an interim retainer crown of any duration.
2. Use D6085 to report an interim implant crown.
NARRATIVES
1. State necessity for an interim crown, e.g., completing periodontal therapy, cracked tooth syndrome. If diagnosis is cracked tooth syndrome, state method of diagnosis, e.g., Tooth Slooth™ positive on MF cusp. "See attached radiographic image. If tooth has RCT, send PA radiographic image.
2. State how long the interim crown will be utilized as an interim restoration.
Not to be used as a temporary crown for a routine prosthetic restoration.
WARNING
1. Do not report an interim crown (D2799) as a temporary crown used for routine crown restoration procedures.
2. Do not report D2799 for resin based crowns intended to be definitive restorations.
WATCH
1. D2799 reports a single unit interim crown of any duration on a natural tooth.
2. See D6253/D6793 for a multi-unit interim bridge of any duration.
3. See D6085 for an interim implant crown.
4. See D2976 band stabilization-per tooth for interim stabilization of a multisurface restoration.
COMMENTS
1. D2799 reports an interim crown. This type of interim restoration allows time for healing, diagnosis, or completion of other procedures, prior to the fabrication of the final definitive restoration.
2. Interim restorations may be used to change the vertical dimension, complete periodontal therapy, diagnose cracked tooth syndrome, etc.
3. An interim crown (D2799) can be placed on a fractured tooth to see if symptoms subside with full coverage or if endodontic therapy will be necessary.
4. D2799 does not specify the material or fabrication method. It may be made chairside, laboratory fabricated, prefabricated, milled, or 3D printed.
5. Enter the tooth number being treated in Box 27 of the 2024 ADA Dental Claim Form.
LIMITATIONS
1. An interim crown (D2799) is placed as an interim restoration and allows time for healing, diagnosis, or completion of other procedures. An interim bridge (D6253/D6793) functions in like manner. Most dental plans exclude interim procedures but these restorations are utilized as needed and can impact payment of the final prosthesis. This "interim" principal also applies to interim partial dentures (D5820/D5821), e.g., flippers, stayplates, etc., and interim complete dentures (D5810/D5811). Although CDT does not specify a minimum or a maximum amount of time these removable procedures must be in place, be aware that contracts often limit reimbursement based on how long the interim restoration is in the mouth. Some plans may consider the interim restoration a permanent restoration/prosthesis from the reimbursement perspective if the restoration/prosthesis is in place for 12 months or longer. (Some plans consider an interim crown to be permanent after six months.) This means that an interim crown (D2799), bridge, partial, or full denture can be subject to a plan's prosthetic replacement limitation. The submission of a claim for an interim restoration/prosthesis may prevent the patient from receiving coverage on the permanent restoration for up to 10 years depending on the contract's language.
2. D2799 is reimbursed in limited circumstances. D2799 may apply in multi-staged treatment situations or where the interim restoration is being used to diagnose a tooth fracture or some other pathology.
3. Reimbursement for D2799 is highly variable among payors.
TIPS
1. Use D6253 to report an interim pontic and D6793 to report an interim retainer crown of any duration.
2. Use D6085 to report an interim implant crown.
NARRATIVES
1. State necessity for an interim crown, e.g., completing periodontal therapy, cracked tooth syndrome. If diagnosis is cracked tooth syndrome, state method of diagnosis, e.g., Tooth Slooth™ positive on MF cusp. "See attached radiographic image. If tooth has RCT, send PA radiographic image.
2. State how long the interim crown will be utilized as an interim restoration.
