CDC CPT, ICD-10, & CDT Coding Systems 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of ICD-10-CM in dental billing?
- To document the medical diagnosis or reason for the dental visit (Correct answer)
- To identify dental procedures performed
- To assign dental fee schedules
- To classify dental laboratory work
Correct answer: To document the medical diagnosis or reason for the dental visit
ICD-10-CM codes document the diagnosis or medical reason supporting the dental service provided.
Question 2: CDT code D2391 refers to resin-based composite for the posterior tooth. What does the suffix '1' in the series indicate?
- One surface (Correct answer)
- One tooth
- One quadrant
- One arch
Correct answer: One surface
In composite restoration CDT codes, the numeric suffix indicates the number of surfaces involved (1 = one surface).
Question 3: Which CPT code range covers services to the mouth, tongue, and salivary glands?
- 40000–40799 (Correct answer)
- 30000–30999
- 21000–21499
- 42000–42999
Correct answer: 40000–40799
CPT codes 40000–40799 cover procedures on the lips, tongue, mouth, and related oral structures.
Question 4: An ICD-10-CM code has 7 characters. What do characters 4–6 generally represent?
- Etiology, anatomical site, or severity (Correct answer)
- Patient age and sex
- Provider specialty
- Payer information
Correct answer: Etiology, anatomical site, or severity
In ICD-10-CM, characters 4 through 6 provide additional specificity including etiology, anatomical site, and severity.
Question 5: Which CDT code is used for a complete series of radiographic images?
- D0210 (Correct answer)
- D0120
- D0330
- D0272
Correct answer: D0210
D0210 is the CDT code for a complete series of radiographic images, typically 14–22 periapical and bitewing images.
Question 6: When a dental claim is submitted for a tooth extraction on a patient with uncontrolled diabetes, which code set provides the diabetes diagnosis?
- ICD-10-CM (Correct answer)
- CDT
- CPT
- HCPCS Level II
Correct answer: ICD-10-CM
ICD-10-CM provides diagnosis codes such as E11.65 (uncontrolled type 2 diabetes) to support medical necessity for dental services.
Question 7: Category III CPT codes are distinguishable from Category I codes because they:
- Use a 4-digit number followed by the letter T (Correct answer)
- Are numeric only and 5 digits long
- Begin with the letter E
- Are only used by dentists
Correct answer: Use a 4-digit number followed by the letter T
Category III CPT codes consist of four digits followed by the letter 'T' and represent emerging technologies and services.
CDC CPT, ICD-10, & CDT Coding Systems 3
What is the primary purpose of ICD-10-CM in dental billing?