MedicaidAdministrativeMedium impact
Commitment letter temporarily suspended for surgery in conjunction with orthodontic treatment
Washington Apple Health·WA · Dentistry, Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery·Provider Alert
Effective date
Jun 1, 2022
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
Washington State HCA is temporarily suspending the requirement for orthodontic providers to submit commitment letters from oral surgeons when requesting prior authorization for orthodontic treatment requiring orthognathic surgery. This waiver is effective from June 1, 2022 through November 30, 2022, but prior authorization is still required for orthodontic treatment.
Action Required
By June 1, 2022: Billing team should update workflow to stop requiring commitment letters from oral surgeons for orthodontic treatment requiring orthognathic surgery prior authorization requests. Continue to submit prior authorization requests for orthodontic treatment as normal, but exclude the commitment letter requirement. Review the June 1, 2022 Orthodontic Services Billing Guide for updated procedures.