SECTION 317:30-5-698. Services requiring prior authorization

(a)   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 are filed on the currently approved American Dental Association (ADA) form. 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 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)   Listed below are examples of services requiring prior authorization for members under twenty-one (21) and eligible intermediate care facilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities (ICF/IID) residents. 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 current ADA form requesting all treatments requiring prior authorization. The images, digital media, photographs, or printouts must be of sufficient quality to clearly demonstrate for the reviewer, the pathology which is the basis for the authorization request. If radiographs are not taken, provider must include in narrative sufficient information to confirm diagnosis and treatment plan.

(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 oral hygiene and flossing ability in the member's records. 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)   Anterior endodontics. Prior authorization is required for members who have a treatment plan requiring more than two (2) anterior root canals. All rampant, active caries should be removed prior to requesting anterior endodontics. Payment is made for services provided in accordance with the following:

(i)   Permanent teeth only;

(ii)   Accepted ADA materials must be used;

(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; and

(vi)   An endodontic procedure may not be approved if the tooth requires a post and core to retain a crown.

(B)   Posterior endodontics. The guidelines for this procedure are as follows:

(i)   The provider must document the member's oral hygiene and flossing ability in the member's records.

(ii)   Teeth that require pre-fabricated post and cores to retain a restoration due to lack of natural tooth structure should not be treatment planned for root canal therapy.

(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 there is a poor crown to root ratio or weakened root furcation area. Approval of second molars is contingent upon proof of medical necessity.

(vi)   Only ADA accepted materials are acceptable under the OHCA policy.

(vii)   Posterior endodontic procedure may not be approved if the tooth requires a post and core in order to present adequate structure to retain a crown.

(viii)   Endodontics will not be considered if:

(I)   An opposing tooth has super erupted;

(II)   Loss of tooth space is one third or greater;

(III)   Opposing second molars are involved unless prior authorized;

(IV)   The member has multiple teeth failing due to previous inadequate root canal therapy or follow-up; or

(V)   All rampant, active caries must be removed prior to requesting posterior endodontics.

(ix)   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) years of age or older and adults residing in private ICF/IID and who have been approved for ICF/IID level of care. 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) should 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. Non authorized restorative codes may be used if available.

(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)   The provider must document the member's oral hygiene and flossing ability in the member's records including improved oral hygiene for at least twelve (12) months.

(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.

(3)   Cast frame partial dentures. 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) through twenty (20) years of age. Provider must indicate which teeth will be replaced. 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. Provider is responsible for any needed follow up for a period of two (2) years post insertion.

(4)   Acrylic partial. This appliance is the treatment of choice for replacement of three (3) or more missing teeth in the same arch for members twelve (12) through sixteen (16) years of age. Provider must indicate tooth numbers to be replaced. This appliance includes all necessary clasps and rests.

(5)   Occlusal guard. Narrative of medical necessity must be sent with prior authorization. Model should not be made or sent unless requested.

(6)   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.

(7)   Periodontal scaling and root planing. Procedure is designed for the removal of calculus or tissue that is contaminated and may require anesthesia and some soft tissue removal. This procedure requires that each tooth have three (3) or more of the six point measurements five (5) millimeters or greater, and have multiple areas of image supported bone loss, subgingival calculus and must involve two (2) or more teeth per quadrant for consideration. This procedure is not allowed in conjunction with any other periodontal surgery.

[Source: Added at 12 Ok Reg 751, eff 1-5-95 through 7-14-95 (emergency); Added at 12 Ok Reg 3131, eff 7-27-95; Amended at 13 Ok Reg 899, eff 8-1-95 (emergency); Amended at 13 Ok Reg 1645, eff 5-27-96; Amended at 15 Ok Reg 3822, eff 6-24-98 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 692, eff 12-31-98 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1429, eff 5-27-99; Amended at 23 Ok Reg 2489, eff 6-25-06; Amended at 24 Ok Reg 660, eff 2-1-07 (emergency); Amended at 24 Ok Reg 2088, eff 6-25-07; Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2759, eff 5-1-08 (emergency); Amended at 26 Ok Reg 530, eff 2-1-09 (emergency); Amended at 26 Ok Reg 2121, eff 6-25-09; Amended at 28 Ok Reg 1419, eff 6-25-11; Amended at 29 Ok Reg 1107, eff 6-25-12; Amended at 31 Ok Reg 1670, eff 9-12-14; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 1088, eff 8-27-15; Amended at 33 Ok Reg 826, eff 9-1-16; Amended at 34 Ok Reg 699, eff 9-1-17; Amended at 37 Ok Reg 1607, eff 9-14-20]