It is generally agreed that TMJ disorders should be covered by insurance. There are often questions whether it is covered by medical insurance or dental insurance and whee the line is that seperates coverage.
Medical Insurance typically is the primary insurance for TMJ disorders. The reason is that a joint is a joint anywhere in the body, as is muscle, tendons, and ligaments. Physical Therapy coverage is generally easy but when orthotics, appliances or splints are made coverage disputes often occur.
Blue Cross Blue Shield will often classify TENS as experimental when used for treating a TMJ patient but will cover treatment for other purposes.
The interesting fact is that covering TMJ disorders will usually save patients and insurance companies money.
Shimshak et al did studies published in Cranio that showed TMD patients utilized healthcare at 200-300% increased rates compared to non-TMJ patients.
My personal experience in saving insurance companies money goes back to the 1980’s with Chicago HMO. I had a patient who badly needed treatment but there was no coverage in her plan. I fought for coverage and eventually met with the Medical Director of Chicago HMO Ltd, Dr Mitchell Trubitt.
I explained to him treatment and he approved non-surgical treatment which was successful. I told him I could save the insurance company money while helping the patients and we agreed to a trial period. Chicago HMO sent me six patients all of whom were recommended TMJoint surgery.
I treated the first six patients and when reviewed the records Dr Trubitt estimated that the Chicago HMO had saved over $250,000 with the non-surgical appoach.
Dr Trubitt then arranged for a favored provider arrangement with Chicago HMO where 100% of phase 1 TMJ treatment was covered by Chicago HMO with no deductible. Because of the savings to the company he also reduced the physician’s cost of a referral to the same as cancer and cardiac care, the lowest offered.
The results were amazing almost 100% of patients who were tenatively scheduled for TMJoint surgery avoided surgery. It was less acceptable politically as many of the oral surgeons were not happy having their surgical patients referred to a general dentist for non-surgical therapy. I did develop a very close relationship with an excellent oral surgeon who did not like TMJ surgery, Dr Bruce Douglas who was a Board Certified in OMS and a previous editor of their journal.
I worked with Chicago HMO and Mitch Trubitt for many years under this arrangement until it was bought by United Health Care. I met with their medical director and Dr Trubitt but was told that they did not want to continue the program because they did not pay for surgery and would not see any savings.
The Shimshak study showing patients with TMJ disorders had a 300% increase in medical utilization had not yet been published. Unfortunately, a program that had benefited patients and physicians as well as saving money ended with the sale of Chicago HMO to United Health Care.
The future of health care and coverage of TMD conditions is still in question. I am the current chair of the American Alliance of TMD Organizations and we work representing the majority of dentists treating TMJ disorders to get insurance coverage and protect the rights of patients to get appropriate care .
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Good afternoon this is Cristia McClain,I am in need of more information about what type of medical coverage cover’s tmj tmd treatment.I am a caregiver for ihss & my current client is suffering from tmj tmd related issues.
I look foward to hearing back from someone when available
Thank You
Author
There are many specific medical diagnostic codes that can be used with matching CPT codes. many insurance companies recode all dental submissions as TMJ and frequently deny.
Pingback: Coverage for TMD | Dental Insurance Verification
I am on medicare and Medicaid. I have been diagnosed with severe TMJ. Severe arthritis in jaw . Does my medical condition covered by insurance . As I am unable to afford due to Disability income . Not to take advantage of insurance just a condition is medically that makes life harder due to pain and many other physical side affects .
My practice does not accept either Medicare or Medicaid. Typically TMD treatment is not covered well by medical insurance. I suggest finding an Oral Surgeon in Medicare / Medicaid who treats TMJ disorders.
Hi I have frequent jaw dislocayions amd I have BCBS of Oklahoma. Im in the ER at least once a month. ER doctors always telling me I need to get surgery or my jaw fixed. But problem is my insurance will not pay for any surgeries that I need to help my jaw. They wont because the jaw is the Tmj joint. But everytime I go to the ER to get my jaw back In place my insurance will pay for those visits. I cant afford surgery out od pocket. So You have any sugestions what I should do.
Dr Shapira Resposne: Insurance companies can cover something that is excluded in the contact.
There is a California court decision on the Wickline case where the court ruled Insurance companines and any responsible for pain and suffering duelack of care can be sued regardless of contract language if the patient is hurt. The first step is the doctor and health care providers must make a formal complaint about denial of care.
I live in Oklahoma. ButI do suffer a lot. I have severe migraines when my jaw goes out or on the verge of going out. I have lost 2 jobs from this because I had to miss so much time. One of my oral doctors even wrote a letter for my insurance explaining the pain and suffering I go trough but was no good.
My disc is ripped to shreds. Every single movement of my jaw– I hear and feel bone on bone. The pain is immense and I often have to put pressure on my joint externally to keep it in place. I had a disc replacement surgery on the other side almost 30 years ago and I have no problems with that one. I understand that the surgery is no longer performed since silicone recall. My insurance categorically denies “disorders of the TMJ”. Is a ripped up disc considered a “disorder of the TMJ” or are there other codes that might apply? What makes it hard is that my husbands company has self-funded insurance- and people have lost their jobs when high insurance claims were submitted (of course that was not the stated reason for job loss….)
I have had TMJ surgery in 1986 however my doctor retired . I now have a 6 part bridge on tge lower side that isn’t doing well so i can’t wear night plate.
I have medicare & medigap. I do have dental insurance.
Dr Shapira Response:
The first step is to have the bridge evaluated. You will not get medical coverage but your dental insurance may pay for some of treatment.
Contact my office at 847-623-5530
Ira L Shapira DDS, D,ABDSM, D,AAIPM, FICCMO, MICCMO
Past Chair, Alliance of TMD Organizations
Diplomat, Academy of Integrative Pain Management
Diplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
Diplomate, American Board Sleep and Breathing
Regent, Master & Fellow, International College of CranioMandibular Orthopedics
Board Eligible, American Academy of CranioFacial Pain
Professor Neuromuscular Orthodontics and CranioMandibular Orthopedics University of Castellon
Dental Section Editor, Sleep & Health Journal
CranioFacial Pain Section Editor, CRANIO: Journal of Craniomandibular and Sleep Practice
Member, American Equilibration Society
Member, Academy of Applied Myofunctional Sciences
Member, Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Life Member, American Dental Association
http://www.ThinkBetterLife.com
http://www.DelanyDentalCare.com
http://www.NorthShoreSleepDentist.com
http://www.IHateCPAP.com
http://www.iHateHeadaches.org
http://www.SleepandHealth.com
http://www.SphenopalatineGanglionBlocks.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk9Bfz6pklC7_UluWFHzLrg
I’m having this issue with insurance I am suffering from severe tmd currently
My pain is off the charts!!!!!
I feel like now the muscles, tendons and ligaments are not even working on the right side of my jaw. . All the work (opening/closing) is being done by only the left side. I feel like something is very wrong. I have Medicare/ Medicaid it’s impossible to find any specialist that will do treatment or take this insurance etc
Author
Insurance companies are almost never sympathetic when discussing covering TMD treatment.
TMJ Disorders.
First step is stabilization, 24/7
My dentist recommended a short course with braces to realign my bite arch. They said it wouldn’t be covered since insurance “only covers braces for 26 or under”, but if this is to treat the tmj/ridiculous amount of grinding i do why can’t it be put under tmj treatment which would cover 1/2of the quoted cost (i have a lifetime max for tmj). Is there anything that would help in getting insurance to cover?
Author
Jennifer,
Two issues the first is insurance coverage. Insurance companies have done everything possible to avoid covering TMJ Disorders. It is possible to get medical coverage for some orthodontic treatments.
The second issue is more of a problem. If moving the teeth make the problem worse or much worse they are not reversible.
Normally, reversible treatment is safer until symptoms are controlled
I have had RA and tmj since age 6. Had to extract 2on each side of mouth due to being small. Tongue to long for mouth and now its cracking next to my ears on both sides. Pain so bad i I almost faint. 3rd methylprednisone pk. Low dose flexaril helped for years but he won’t refill each time! I swear both jaws are bone on bone like my knees. I have Ambetter of Arkansas medicaid and it wont pay much on a lot of things. I have a lot of old mercury fillings because my teeth are so fragile it would break them all. Sleep apnea and migraines too. Bed almost a month from vertigo, horrible ear pain and swollen glands. I do massages, heat and cold packs . Need a new mouth piece due to having work done since last done. I am unemployed living w my 88 yr old mom. This will be the end of me unless I find help. B12 helps but expensive for how big a dose I have to take. I did get diagnosed with needing the thingy under my tongue snipped at age 12. And, I had covid in November. That’s when this got unbearable! I have neck cspine issues too. Do you think I should have my mercury teeth and get false? Thats how bad this hurts. Im almost 53 and scared to death of being like my folks! Both had false teeth by early to mid 40s. Allergic to wheat and gluten intolerant. Enamel is almost null. I swear they think I’m a hypochondriac!! I detoxed off oxys 3 years ago for the neck crushed discs so I dont want them again! I have noticed it’s worse when I am high anxiety, depressed. Its like my body shuts down. Please help!!
I forgot the pivotal question:
What do I tell my gp to get treatment? He has been biased about my arthritis and disc issues . I cant go on like this. Mom is wheel chair bound and I cant go to store/drive except 1 day every so many weeks. The vertigo and migraines.
Dr Shapira response: Typically, patients directly contact trained dentists. If you are required to have a medical referral have a clear WRITTEN list of symptoms. Keep it short and ask for referral
I need to find a good medical insuane that covers 100 percent of my boll for me to go see a tmj surgean that covers all of it and its not going to cost me a lot a month cause I am self employed right now only
Author
Good Luck1 Most insurance cover little to nothing on these problems.
My name is Sharon Smith from Houston, TX. I have suffered from TMJ/TMD and took bad professional advice to remove all teeth have 4 implants placed in 2012 which failed in 2015. After 8 “TMJ Specialists” none of which had any real treatment plan to help my issues became so much worse. Jaw shifting forward/backwards/left & right, locking causing bone to disintegrate rapidly. I have had specialists look at me and see the shifting differences between 1 week and tell me “I have never seen this in my professional career. I don’t know how to help you.” Still searching for a specialist then being diagnosed with Trigeminal Neuralgia in 2017 and needing a MVD surgery. And between 2018 and January 2021, I finally have 4 bottom implants that took 5 surgeries to get in and no bottom ridge so excruciating nerve pain. We have paid $50,000 + out of pocket and now I don’t know where to turn for help.
I need some advice please. Any Dr even if you are not close to me, I am desperate for some guidance, advice and some honest talk please. I am willing to pay a consultation fee to just get advice. Is there any Dr out there that would be willing to help me?
Have a Blessed day.
Why is it that we finally get insurance to cover TMJ total joint replacement on both sides but refused the dental to stabilize her a new bite and have ongoing litigation on it?
Author
A poor decision. A stable bite is essential for long term joint stability. Insurance is a major issue for many patients.
I live in CO and have constant pain/instability in my
Jaw-for over 2 years. I have seen a TMJ specialist (DDS), done appliances, splints, PT, dry needling. I have to physically reset my jaw multiple times a week. Nothing has helped. I’ve now seen a maxillofacial MD who specializes in TMJ. He recommends jaw arthroscopy, but, of course, insurance won’t cover anything to do with TMJ. I’m about to send in an appeal to my insurance, but is there anything else I can do? I’m at my wits end.
DR SHAPIRA RESPONSE: Joe,
Appliances and splints tells me little about how they were designed or what was trying to be achieved. I assume you are dealing with recurrent close-lock not subluxation because of a plan to do arthroscopy. I suggest a 24/7 diagnostic neuromuscular orthotic to stabilize the jaw as the first step. Is it a unilateral issue or bilateral? Unilateral often responds better. It is possible to utilize prolotherapy after the joint is stable.
You can contact my offive through my website: http://www.ThinkBetterLife.com
Each and every patient is unique. This link will have over 200 patient videos. Ideally, look for one similar to your issues. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk9Bfz6pklC7_UluWFHzLrg/videos
My daughter was diagnosed with TMJ after suffering terrible pain that has been debilitating. The periodontist recommended a custom night guard for $4,000 which she cannot afford and both dental and medical insurances are refusing to cover. We live in Massachusetts – United Health Care. Any advice on how to negotiate with the UHC? Should we ask the doctor to contact insurance on her behalf? Is it even worth it? Thanks in advance.
Dr Shapira Response:
Laura,
Unfortunately many insurance companies refuse to cover TMJ disorders. You can appeal to the insurance company and it may help.
If you have a Health Benefit Plan from an Employer you can go to HR and have the employer do the appeal.
Hello there are 20 states that cover TMj and out of those 20 states some state statues limit coverage. http://www.tmjoints.org/policy/TMJState.htm
Please go to above web page
Insurance companies lobby against us all and we need to lobby against these limitations on TMJ. A joint is a joint.
DR SHAPIRA RESPONSE:
Thank You Tanya for you valuable information. It will be posted here.
I have been fighting insurance companies to prevent the defrauding of patients covered by insurance for decades.
I’m a current RDH. I have severe pain in my TMJ. TMD caused by head gear. When I close I have to push my lower jaw back. This has caused wear on the actual bone. And I hear crunching sometimes when I’m eating. My Dr. Took a CT scan and you can see the wear from the last 30 years when I was in the appliance. I’m going to try a de programmer splint but I’m afraid now that I might need surgery. I would love to get any information to help since TMD is usually denied coverage. I’m in Chicago. Thanks!
Author
Erica, TMJoint surgery should always be a last resort.
There are many alternatives for treatment. I find the best approach is to start with a diagnostic neuromuscular orthotic to correct the severe pain as quickly as possible. Typically there are two phases of treatment, phase 1 is eliminating most of the pain and phase 2 is long time management.
Unfortunately, Medical insurance rarely covers well.
I don’t understand your exact issues but a DNA Appliance can grow the maxilla and free up the mandible.
These are links to some of my patients: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk9Bfz6pklC7_UluWFHzLrg/videos
You can also visit my website http://www.ThinkBetterLife.com
Ira L Shapira DDS, D,ABDSM, D,AAIPM, FICCMO, MICCMO
Past Chair, Alliance of TMD Organizations
Diplomat, Academy of Integrative Pain Management
Diplomate, American Board of Dental Sleep Medicine
Diplomate, American Board Sleep and Breathing
Regent, Master & Fellow, International College of CranioMandibular Orthopedics
Board Eligible, American Academy of CranioFacial Pain
Professor Neuromuscular Orthodontics and CranioMandibular Orthopedics University of Castellon
Dental Section Editor, Sleep & Health Journal
CranioFacial Pain Section Editor, CRANIO: Journal of Craniomandibular and Sleep Practice
Member, American Equilibration Society
Member, Academy of Applied Myofunctional Sciences
Member, Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry
Life Member, American Dental Association
http://www.ThinkBetterLife.com
http://www.DelanyDentalCare.com
http://www.NorthShoreSleepDentist.com
http://www.IHateCPAP.com
http://www.iHateHeadaches.org
http://www.SleepandHealth.com
http://www.SphenopalatineGanglionBlocks.com
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCk9Bfz6pklC7_UluWFHzLrg
I think we need to lobby. I did this for Autism when the insurance companies tried to exclude Autism. Do you know of anyone that is trying to get a national TMJ mandate? Let’s organize and lobby. Insurance companies don’t care about patients they only care about profits. Medicare and Medicaid should be the first to change.