D6101 - Debridement
Debridement of a peri-implant defect.
- Procedure Code
- D6101
- Category
- Implant Services
Insurance Verification Benchmarks & Billing Guidelines
Benchmark Policy Source: Delta Dental 2026
- Frequency Limitation
- 1 per tooth/site in a 60-month interval (5 years) (rolling_12_months)
- Age Limitation
- Restricted to patients age 19 or older. Implants are not a benefit for patients under 19 years of age.
Required Claim Attachments & Pre-Submission Checklist
- Post-operative radiograph or surgical operative report
Bill When (Allowable Clinical Criteria)
- Indicated for medically and clinically necessary treatment as documented in patient's dental record.
Restrictions & Clinical Exclusions
- Benefits are denied if implants are not covered by group/individual contract.
- Fees for D6101 are not billable to the patient when performed in the same surgical site by the same dentist/dental office on the same date of service as D6102.
- Fees for D6101 are not billable to the patient when billed in conjunction with D4260 or D4261.
- For benefit purposes, anesthesia is an integral part of the procedures being performed and additional fees are not billable to the patient.
- Benefits are denied, unless the group/individual contract specifies that implant services are a benefit.
- 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.
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 |
|---|