D9996 is the CDT code for teledentistry — asynchronous; information stored and forwarded to the dentist for subsequent review — a "store-and-forward" encounter in which patient data (such as photos, radiographs, or records) is collected and sent for the dentist to evaluate later, without a live interaction. It is a reporting code 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 D9996 Code
Report D9996 when care is delivered through asynchronous (store-and-forward) teledentistry — patient information like clinical photos, radiographs, or digital records is captured and securely transmitted for the dentist to review at a later time. The defining feature is that there is no real-time interaction.
Distinguish it from the synchronous code: D9995 is a live, real-time teledentistry encounter. D9996 is reported in addition to the underlying procedure performed (such as the evaluation based on the forwarded records), not instead of it; the clinical service keeps its own code. Using D9996 as a stand-in for the clinical procedure — or confusing it with the live encounter code — is a common error.
Documentation & Clinical Scenarios
Because D9996 documents the store-and-forward modality, the record should establish that information was captured and reviewed asynchronously:
- Date the information was collected and the date the dentist reviewed it.
- What was forwarded — photos, radiographs, digital impressions, or records — and how it was transmitted securely.
- The dentist's review and findings on subsequent evaluation.
- The underlying service performed, documented and coded on its own line.
The teledentistry code rides alongside the clinical procedure. Records should make clear which data was reviewed and that the encounter was asynchronous.
Insurance & Billing Tips
- Verify teledentistry benefits first. Coverage and rules for teledentistry vary widely by payer and state; confirm whether D9996 is recognized and how it should be reported.
- Report it with the underlying procedure. D9996 is listed as an additional line alongside the clinical code, not in place of it.
- Don't confuse asynchronous with synchronous. Store-and-forward is D9996; a live visit is D9995. Using the wrong one can cause a denial.
- Check state and program rules. Some Medicaid and state programs have specific store-and-forward documentation or place-of-service requirements.
- Secure the data trail. Document how images and records were transmitted and reviewed, in line with HIPAA, to support the claim.
Example Case
A patient captures clear photos of a concern and the office collects recent radiographs, then securely transmits them for the dentist to review when available. Later that day the dentist reviews the stored images, documents findings, and determines next steps — all without a live visit. The encounter is reported with the underlying evaluation procedure code on its own line plus D9996 to document the asynchronous, store-and-forward teledentistry, with the capture date, review date, what was forwarded, and the secure transmission noted. Because the office confirmed the plan's teledentistry rules first, the claim is reported correctly.
Patients call asking to send photos for review — not for the code. DentalReception AI answers those calls 24/7, captures the request and insurance details, and routes clinical review to your team. See insurance verification, or book a demo.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between D9996 and D9995?
D9996 is asynchronous teledentistry — information is stored and forwarded for the dentist to review later, with no live interaction. D9995 is synchronous teledentistry — a live, real-time encounter. The distinction is whether the patient and provider interact in real time; using the wrong code for the encounter type is a common cause of denials.
Does D9996 replace the code for the actual exam or service?
No. D9996 documents the store-and-forward modality and is reported in addition to the underlying clinical procedure (such as the evaluation based on the forwarded records), which keeps its own code on a separate line. Billing D9996 alone, as if it were the clinical service, is incorrect — report both the procedure and the teledentistry code.
Will insurance cover a D9996 teledentistry encounter?
It depends on the payer and the state. Teledentistry coverage and reporting rules vary widely, and some plans or programs have specific store-and-forward requirements. Verify whether D9996 is recognized, how it should be reported alongside the clinical code, and any documentation or place-of-service rules before relying on coverage.
What documentation should support a D9996 claim?
Record that an asynchronous encounter occurred: the date the information was collected, what was forwarded (photos, radiographs, records), how it was transmitted securely in line with HIPAA, the date and findings of the dentist's review, and the underlying procedure performed (coded separately). A clear data trail 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.