Coding Copy 3 5f36ada55cfab

Coding with Kyle: D9310—Consultation

Aug. 14, 2020
D9310—Consultation, is for diagnostic service provided by a dentist or physician other than the requesting dentist or physician.

This month we feature D9310: Consultation. Should your office be referred a patient by another practitioner, it is recommended you use this code for dental plan reimbursement. Also, should you encounter a patient who is seeking the opinion of another dentist, you can use this code for billing

  • This code should be used when a specialist is providing the patient with information related to an oral problem. 
  • This code is considered equivalent to billing for an oral examination, if it’s being billed by a dental specialist.
  • This code is to be used by a dentist who is providing a second opinion for the patient. 
  • This code cannot be combined with an oral examination, such as D0120, D0150, or D0140.
  • Should the dental plan deny payment for D9310, it is recommended that you contact the insurance company and ask for a reconsideration of an alternate benefit. 

Kyle L. Summerford is a nationally recognized practice management guru, author, and lecturer. He is founder and president of Summerford Solutions Inc., and cofounder of Elitedentalclaims.com. Kyle also serves as editorial director of Dental Office Manager Digest e-newsletter. He lectures extensively to dentists and their staff on topics such as insurance coding and billing and useful practice management tips. Contact him at [email protected].

About the Author

Kyle L. Summerford

With more than 22 years of experience in dental, Kyle L. Summerford has a unique approach to case presentation and patient acceptance. As an OM and financial dental consultant, he leverages his knowledge to assist new and struggling dental practices. Through his education programs, Kyle empowers staff members with effective patient education skills and persuasion techniques. He has lectured at CE events and academic institutions. His expertise is further recognized through his column, Dental Coding with Kyle. He’s the founder of the Dental Office Managers Community. Visit his website at kylesummerford.com.