D0191 - Assessment
Assessment of a patient.
- Procedure Code
- D0191
- Category
- Diagnostic
Insurance Verification Benchmarks & Billing Guidelines
Benchmark Policy Source: Delta Dental 2026
- Frequency Limitation
- Subject to group/individual contract frequency limitations (none)
Required Claim Attachments & Pre-Submission Checklist
- Standard ADA claim form with CDT procedure code and date of service
Bill When (Allowable Clinical Criteria)
- Indicated for medically and clinically necessary treatment as documented in patient's dental record.
Restrictions & Clinical Exclusions
- Infection control is included in the fee for the dental services provided. Separate fees are not billable to the patient.
- Oral evaluations are only a benefit when the elements included in the descriptor are completed.
- All services and treatment provided remotely via tele-health modalities, be they synchronous or asynchronous, must be performed by a licensed dentist or their supervised staff, acting within the scope of applicable law. Services and treatment delivered virtually are only a benefit when the elements included in the descriptor of the CDT procedure code are completed and only when they meet generally accepted clinical guidelines.
- Benefits for restorations for altering occlusion, adjusting vertical dimension, replacing tooth structure lost by attrition, erosion, abrasion, abfraction, corrosion, TMD, or for periodontal, orthodontic, or other splinting are denied, unless covered by group contract.
- Benefits are determined by group/individual contract. Fees for pre-diagnostic services are not billable to the patient when reported on the same date of service as another evaluation procedure (D0120-D0150).
- When done on the same date as an evaluation/screening (D0120, D0140, D0145, D0150, D0160, D0170, D0171, D0180, D0190 and D9310), the fees for D0191 are not billable to the patient as integral to the evaluation by the same dentist/dental office.
Common Claim Denial Codes & Overturn Strategies
| Denial Code | Denial Reason | Appeal & Overturn Strategy |
|---|---|---|
| CO-119 | Benefit maximum or frequency limitation exceeded for procedure | Submit clinical narrative detailing extraordinary circumstances, active recurrent pathology, or exception criteria. |
ICD-10 Justification & Crosswalk Mappings
| ICD-10 Code | Diagnosis Name | Category | Primary Justification | Claim Type | Clinical Scenario |
|---|