D9995 is the CDT code for teledentistry — synchronous; a real-time encounter — a live, interactive visit in which the provider and patient communicate in real time over an audio-visual connection. It is a reporting code for the teledentistry encounter and is recorded in addition to any clinical procedure delivered.
Informational only — confirm the official CDT descriptor and your payers' rules independently. This is general guidance, not billing, coding, or clinical advice.
When to Use the D9995 Code
Report D9995 when care is delivered through a live, real-time (synchronous) teledentistry encounter — the patient and provider interact simultaneously by video, for example a virtual consultation, triage, or follow-up. The defining feature is the real-time interaction.
Distinguish it from the asynchronous code: D9996 is teledentistry where patient information is stored and forwarded for the dentist to review later — no live interaction. D9995 is reported in addition to the underlying procedure performed during the encounter (such as a limited oral evaluation), not instead of it; the clinical service still gets its own code. Using D9995 as a stand-in for the clinical procedure is a common error.
Documentation & Clinical Scenarios
Because D9995 documents the modality of the encounter, the record should establish that a real-time visit occurred:
- Date and start/end times of the live encounter.
- The platform used — ideally a HIPAA-compliant, secure audio-visual tool.
- The purpose and clinical observations of the encounter.
- The underlying service performed during the visit, documented and coded on its own line (e.g., the evaluation).
The teledentistry code rides alongside the clinical procedure. Records should make clear which service was performed and that it was delivered synchronously.
Insurance & Billing Tips
- Verify teledentistry benefits first. Coverage and rules for teledentistry vary widely by payer and state; confirm whether D9995 is recognized and how it should be reported.
- Report it with the underlying procedure. D9995 is listed as an additional line alongside the clinical code (such as a limited evaluation), not in place of it.
- Don't confuse synchronous with asynchronous. A live visit is D9995; store-and-forward is D9996. Using the wrong one can cause a denial.
- Check state and program rules. Some Medicaid and state programs have specific teledentistry documentation or place-of-service requirements.
- Document the encounter cleanly. Times, platform, and purpose support the claim if the payer reviews it.
Example Case
An established patient calls in the evening with a concern they'd like a provider to look at without coming in. A live video consultation is arranged the next morning; over a secure, HIPAA-compliant platform, the dentist conducts a real-time limited evaluation, discusses findings, and advises next steps. The visit is reported with the limited-evaluation procedure code on its own line plus D9995 to document the synchronous teledentistry encounter, with the date, times, platform, and purpose recorded. Because the office verified the plan's teledentistry rules first, the claim is reported correctly.
Patients call asking for a video visit — not for the code. DentalReception AI answers and books those calls 24/7, captures the request and insurance details, and routes clinical questions to your team. See insurance verification, or book a demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between D9995 and D9996?
D9995 is synchronous teledentistry — a live, real-time encounter where provider and patient interact simultaneously. D9996 is asynchronous teledentistry — patient information is stored and forwarded for the dentist to review later, with no live interaction. Choosing the wrong one for the encounter type is a common error that can lead to a denial.
Does D9995 replace the code for the actual exam or service?
No. D9995 documents the teledentistry modality and is reported in addition to the underlying clinical procedure (for example, a limited oral evaluation), which keeps its own code on a separate line. Billing D9995 alone, as if it were the clinical service, is incorrect — report both the procedure and the teledentistry code.
Will insurance cover a D9995 teledentistry visit?
It depends on the payer and the state. Teledentistry coverage and reporting rules vary widely, and some plans or programs have specific requirements. Verify whether D9995 is recognized, how it should be reported alongside the clinical code, and any place-of-service or documentation rules before the encounter to avoid a denial.
What documentation should support a D9995 claim?
Record that a real-time encounter occurred: the date and start/end times, the secure platform used, the purpose of the visit, the clinical observations, and the underlying procedure performed (coded separately). Clean documentation of the synchronous interaction supports the claim if a payer requests review.
Confirm the current CDT descriptor and your specific payer policies before billing — browse the full dental code library or see our insurance verification feature.