OHCA Policies and Rules
317:30-5-698. Services requiring prior authorization
[Revised 09-12-22]
(a) Prior authorizations. Providers must have prior authorization for certain specified services before delivery of that service, unless the service is provided on an emergency basis [See Oklahoma Administrative Code (OAC) 317:30-5-695(d)(2)]. Requests for dental services requiring prior authorization must be accompanied by sufficient documentation.
(b) Requests for prior authorization. Requests for prior authorization, and any related documents, must be submitted electronically through the OHCA secure provider portal. Prior authorized services must be billed exactly as they appear on the prior authorization. Payment is not made for any services provided prior to receiving authorization except for the relief of pain.
(c) Prosthodontic services. Prosthodontic services provided to members who have become ineligible mid-treatment are covered if the member was eligible for SoonerCare on the date the final impressions were made.
(d) Adults. Listed below are examples of services requiring prior authorization for members twenty-one (21) years of age and over/older. Minimum required records to be submitted with each request are right and left mounted bitewings and periapical films or images of tooth/teeth involved or the edentulous areas if not visible in the bitewings. Images must be of diagnostic quality. Images must be identified by the tooth number and include date of exposure, member name, member ID, provider name, and provider ID. All images, regardless of the media, must be submitted together with a completed and signed comprehensive treatment plan that details all needed treatment at the time of examination, with the prior authorization requesting all needed treatment. The images, digital media, and photographs must be of sufficient type and quality to clearly demonstrate for the reviewer, the pathology which is the basis for the authorization request. Documentation of a periodontal evaluation with six (6) point measurements for teeth to remain must be included with requests.
(A) This includes full and partial dentures.
(i) One (1) per every five (5) years is available for adults under twenty-five (25) years of age.
(ii) One (1) per every seven (7) years is available for adults twenty-five (25) years of age and over.
(iii) Provider is responsible for any needed follow up for a period of two (2) years post insertion.
(B) Partial dentures are allowed for replacement of missing anterior permanent teeth or two (2) or more missing posterior teeth in the same arch. Provider must indicate which teeth will be replaced.
(2) Periodontal scaling and root planing. Procedure involves instrumentation of the crown and root surfaces of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus from these surfaces. This procedure requires that each tooth involved have three (3) or more of the six-point measurements (probing pocket depths) equivalent to four (4) millimeters or greater, and image supported alveolar bone loss. Image supported subgingival calculus, and bleeding on probing, must be demonstrated on multiple teeth for consideration of scaling and root planing. A minimum of two (2) teeth per quadrant must be involved, with the appropriate CDT code usage for fewer than four (4) teeth per quadrant. This procedure is not allowed in conjunction with any other periodontal surgery. Four quadrants of scaling and root planing will not be approved in conjunction with recent oral prophylaxis.
(3) Scaling in the presence of generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation. Procedure is designed for removal of plaque, calculus and stain from supra- and sub-gingival tooth surfaces when there is generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation as indicated by generalized suprabony pockets and bleeding on probing, in the absence of periodontitis (alveolar bone loss). Generalized supra- and sub-gingival calculus, and moderate to severe inflammation must be demonstrated, with probing pocket depths of five (5) mm or greater. This procedure is intended for scaling of the entire mouth in lieu of oral prophylaxis, and is only performed after a comprehensive evaluation has been completed.
(e) Children. Listed below are examples of services requiring prior authorization for members under twenty-one (21) years of age. Minimum required records to be submitted with each request are right and left mounted bitewings and periapical films or images of tooth/teeth involved or the edentulous areas if not visible in the bitewings. Images must be of diagnostic quality. Images must be identified by the tooth number and include date of exposure, member name, member ID, provider name, and provider ID. All images, regardless of the media, must be submitted together with a completed and signed comprehensive treatment plan that details all needed treatment at the time of examination, and a completed prior authorization requesting all needed treatments. The images, digital media, and photographs must be of sufficient quality to clearly demonstrate for the reviewer, the pathology which is the basis for the authorization request.
(1) Endodontics. Root canal therapy is not considered an emergency procedure unless due to trauma to an anterior tooth. The provider must document the member's improved oral hygiene and flossing ability and submit it with the prior authorization request to be considered when requesting endodontic therapy for multiple teeth. Pulpal debridement may be performed for the relief of pain while waiting for the decision from the Oklahoma Health Care Authority (OHCA) on request for endodontics.
(A) Payment is made for services provided in accordance with the following guidelines:
(i) Permanent teeth only;
(ii) Only ADA accepted materials are acceptable under the OHCA policy;
(iii) Pre and post-operative periapical images must be available for review;
(iv) Providers are responsible for any follow-up treatment required by a failed endodontically treated tooth within twenty-four (24) months post completion;
(v) A tooth will not be approved if it appears there is not adequate natural tooth structure remaining to establish good tooth/restorative margins or if crown to root ratio is poor. Approval of second molars is contingent upon proof of medical necessity; and
(vi) An endodontic procedure may not be approved if the tooth requires a post and core to retain a crown due to lack of tooth structure.
(B) Endodontics will not be considered if:
(i) An opposing tooth has super erupted;
(ii) The tooth impinges upon space of adjacent tooth space by one third or greater;
(iii) Fully restored tooth will not be in functional occlusion with opposing tooth;
(iv) Opposing second molars are involved unless prior authorized;
(v) The member has multiple teeth failing due to previous inadequate root canal therapy or follow-up.
(C) All rampant, active caries must be removed prior to requesting endodontics.
(D) Endodontically treated teeth must be restored to limited occlusal function and all contours must be replaced. Core build-up code is only available for use if other restorative codes are not sufficient. These teeth will not be approved for a crown if it appears the apex is not adequately sealed.
(2) Crowns for permanent teeth. Crowns are compensable for restoration of natural teeth for members who are sixteen (16) through twenty (20) years of age. Certain criteria and limitations apply.
(A) The following conditions must exist for approval of this procedure:
(i) All rampant, active caries must be removed prior to requesting any type of crown;
(ii) The tooth must be decayed to such an extent to prevent proper cuspal or incisal function;
(iii) The clinical crown is fractured or destroyed by one-half or more; and
(iv) Endodontically treated teeth must have three (3) or more surfaces restored or lost due to carious activity to be considered for a crown.
(B) The conditions listed above in (A)(i) through (iv) must be clearly visible on the submitted images when a request is made for any type of crown.
(C) Routine build-up(s) for authorized crowns are included in the fee for the crown.
(D) A crown will not be approved if adequate tooth structure does not remain to establish cleanable margins, there is invasion of the biologic width, poor crown to root ratio, or the tooth appears to retain insufficient amounts of natural tooth structure. Cast dowel cores are not allowed for molar or pre-molar teeth.
(E) Preformed post(s) and core build-up(s) are not routinely provided with crowns for endodontically treated teeth.
(F) Chart documentation must include the OHCA caries risk assessment form demonstrating member is at a low to moderate risk and be submitted with the prior authorization request for crowns for permanent teeth.
(G) Provider is responsible for replacement or repair of all crowns if failure is caused by poor laboratory processes or procedure by provider for forty-eight (48) months post insertion.
(A) This appliance is the treatment of choice for replacement of missing anterior permanent teeth or two (2) or more missing posterior teeth in the same arch for members sixteen (16) years of age and older.
(B) Interim partial dentures are available for children five (5) years of age and older.
(C) Provider must indicate which teeth will be replaced.
(D) Members must have improved oral hygiene documented for at least twelve (12) months in the provider's records and submitted with prior authorization request to be considered.
(E) Provider is responsible for any needed follow up for a period of two (2) years post insertion.
(F) This appliance includes all necessary clasps and rests.
(4) Occlusal guard. Narrative of medical necessity must be sent with prior authorization.
(5) Fixed cast non-precious metal or porcelain/metal bridges. Only members seventeen (17) through twenty (20) years of age will be considered for this treatment. Destruction of healthy teeth to replace a single missing tooth is not considered medically necessary. Members must have excellent oral hygiene documented for at least eighteen (18) months in the requesting provider's records and submitted with prior authorization request to be considered. Provider is responsible for any needed follow up until member loses eligibility.
(6) Periodontal scaling and root planing. Procedure involves instrumentation of the crown and root surfaces of the teeth to remove plaque and calculus from these surfaces. This procedure requires that each tooth involved have three (3) or more of the six-point measurements (probing pocket depths) equivalent to four (4) millimeters or greater, and image supported alveolar bone loss. Image supported subgingival calculus, and bleeding on probing, must be demonstrated on multiple teeth for consideration of scaling and root planing. A minimum of two (2) teeth per quadrant must be involved, with the appropriate CDT code usage for fewer than four (4) teeth per quadrant. This procedure is not allowed in conjunction with any other periodontal surgery. Four quadrants of scaling and root planing will not be approved in conjunction with recent oral prophylaxis.
(7) Scaling in the presence of generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation. Procedure is designed for removal of plaque, calculus and stain from supra- and sub-gingival tooth surfaces when there is generalized moderate or severe gingival inflammation as indicated by generalized suprabony pockets and bleeding on probing, in the absence of periodontitis (alveolar bone loss). Generalized supra- and sub-gingival calculus, and moderate to severe inflammation must be demonstrated, with probing pocket depths of five (5) mm or greater. This procedure is intended for scaling of the entire mouth in lieu of oral prophylaxis, and is only performed after a comprehensive evaluation has been completed.
Disclaimer. The OHCA rules found on this Web site are unofficial. The official rules are published by the Oklahoma Secretary of State Office of Administrative Rules as Title 317 of the Oklahoma Administrative Code. To order an official copy of these rules, contact the Office of Administrative Rules at (405) 521-4911.
