Anesthesia

Anesthesia A. The Division of Medicaid defines a topical anesthetic as an agent used to temporarily anesthetize or numb the tiny nerve endings located on the surfaces of the oral mucosa. The Division of Medicaid does not cover the cost of the topical anesthetic and the application of the topical anesthetic separately from the procedure performed. B. The Division of Medicaid defines a local anesthetic as an agent used to temporarily prevent the conduction of sensory impulses such as pain, touch, and thermal change from a body part along nerve pathways to the brain. The Division of Medicaid does not cover local anesthesia separately from the procedure performed. C. The Division of Medicaid defines conscious sedation as an anesthetic, including oral, intravenous and intramuscular, administered to place the beneficiary in a relaxed state, which helps control fear and anxiety, but the beneficiary can still respond to speech or touch. The Division of Medicaid covers conscious sedation for dental and oral procedures using the appropriate dental procedure code. D. The Division of Medicaid defines deep sedation/general anesthesia as a controlled state of depressed consciousness induced by an anesthetic and accompanied by a partial or complete loss of protective reflexes, including the inability of the beneficiary to maintain an airway without assistance or support. The Division of Medicaid covers deep sedation/general anesthesia for dental and oral procedures using the appropriate dental code. E. All forms of sedation and anesthesia administered in a dental office-based setting must comply pursuant to Miss. Code Ann. § 73-9-13 to insure that beneficiaries are provided with the benefits of anxiety and pain control in a safe and efficacious manner.