Medicaid Updates Flouride Varnish Code

Ohio Medicaid has changed the CDP Code for coverage of the topical application of fluoride varnish to D1208 as part of the annual update for HCPCS (HCFA Common Procedure Coding System). The change is effective for dates of service on and after January 1, 2013. 

High-risk children under three years of age are less likely to receive dental care than medical care. Unfortunately, these children may be at risk for a significant dental condition known as early childhood caries (ECC).  Research shows that the application of fluoride varnish can reduce tooth decay by 25 to 45 percent and remineralize early decayed lesions.  The application of fluoride varnish became reimbursable by Ohio Medicaid in 2006.

The Ohio Department of Health Smiles for Ohio Fluoride Varnish Program offers a free, one-hour, web-based training course for physicians who want to participate in the program. The link is: http://ohiodentalclinics.com/curricula/smiles/index.html.