Bill insurance on crown seat date

[doctordoom]

How are you guys doing this? I had been billing the insurance on the prep date, but now i realized they want to bill on the seat date.

I read one thread on here where someone made fake procedure code for example N2750 for crown prep, then used the D2750 as the crown seat. And then just billed the insurance so that way the D2750 will reflect the seat date as opposed to the prep date.

How are you guys doing it? Are there other ways?

[boboffice]

I solved this problem with my CEREC.

[doctordoom]

I solved this problem with my CEREC.

LOL yeah, i don't have a cerec.

Can someone chime in who does crowns the traditional 2 appointment way?

[efeuer]

I am having the same issue; several insurance companies have started rejecting crowns that are billed on the same day as a core buildup for us.

[drmaximus]

Yep. I have the same issues with insurance companies

[Jorgebon]

I have a code for crown prep and a code for crown seat. I set complete the crown code on the date of the crown seat.

[efeuer]

I have a code for crown prep and a code for crown seat. I set complete the crown code on the date of the crown seat.

What procedure do you schedule for during the actual crown prep then?

Or do you schedule the crown prep and then just leave the procedure as "TP" for a few weeks until you cement the crown?

[Hersheydmd]

I think my solution is the best.
This may sound complicated, but it really isn't.
Let's say your fee is $1000. You want the patient to pay half on the prep date and the other half on the seat date.
I have a dummy code for C&B prep (could be N9991 or anything), and the fee for it is half or $500.
I have another dummy code for C&B delivery (could be N9992...) and the fee for it is $-500 (yes, that is negative 500)
When I set up the tx plan for the tooth I set up 3 procedures:
a) C&B Prep code $500 (NoBillIns)
b) C&B Delivery code -$500 (NoBillIns)
c) C&B procedure code $1000
(I set up a procedure button, so clicking on the tooth and the procedure button creates both the prep & delivery code at the same time)
On the first appt I attach the prep code, mark it complete, and the patient pays $500. The account shows a zero balance to date, but the tx plan shows another $500 left to do ($1000 & -$500)
On the seat date, I attach both the procedure code (full fee) and the delivery code (credits back the original prep fee). We mark both codes complete, the patient pays the $500 balance, and the procedure is submitted to insurance, with the full fee and the correct (seat) date.
If it is a more complicated case with more intermediate steps you can split the fee among any number of appts as long as the delivery fee credits back any prior fees so everything balances.
The main benefit is that it enables you to collect fees as you go along and the patient's register shows what is actually owed to date (hopefully zero if your front desk is doing their job)

[Jorgebon]

I have a code for crown prep and a code for crown seat. I set complete the crown code on the date of the crown seat.

What procedure do you schedule for during the actual crown prep then?

Or do you schedule the crown prep and then just leave the procedure as "TP" for a few weeks until you cement the crown?

Yes, I schedule the crown prep and leave the crown as planned until cementation.

[babysilvertooth]

I enter the procs code on prep date, make a claim (but don't send it) so I know what to bill patient and what is remaining. ON seat date, i enter seat crown code (internal code), and write a narrative on claim of seat date, which goes out with the X-ray showing the seated crown. KISS

[macadoo]

I enter the procs code on prep date, make a claim (but don't send it) so I know what to bill patient and what is remaining. ON seat date, i enter seat crown code (internal code), and write a narrative on claim of seat date, which goes out with the X-ray showing the seated crown. KISS

Does your front office staff ever mistakenly submit the claim on the prep date? Do you have a system in place to flag a crown prep claim to be held until the seat date?

[babysilvertooth]

I have one person in charge of claims, so 99% of the time, she knows to send on seat on date, unless I have a few insurances that allow on prep date (but less and less often).
When it is procedure and protocol, things don't get messed up....