Opinion of Trustees Resolution of Dispute Case No. 81-425
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(Opinion issued in letter form; name and address deleted)
Re: Opinion of Trustees Resolution of Dispute
Case No. 81-425
March 28, 1984
Pursuant to Article IX of the United Mine Workers of America 1950 Benefit Plan and Trust, and under the authority of an exemption granted by the United States Department of Labor, the Trustees have reviewed your Request for Resolution of Dispute concerning coverage of professional services and outpatient hospitalization for your spouse’s oral surgery under the Employer’s Benefit Plan.
Article III A. (3)(e) of your Employer’s Benefit Plan specifically excludes benefits for dental services, except for the following limited oral surgical procedures, when performed by a dental surgeon or oral surgeon:
Tumors of the jaw (maxilla and mandible)
Fractures of the jaw, including reduction and wiring
Fractures of the facial bones Frenulectomy when related only to ankyloglossia (tongue
tie)
Temporomandibular Joint Dysfunction, only when medically necessary
and related to an oral orthopedic problem Biopsy of lesions of the oral cavity
Article III A. (1)(g) of your Employer’s Benefit Plan provides benefits for medically necessary hospitalization when the admission is for an oral surgical procedure listed in Article III A. (3)(e). Benefits are also provided when hospitalization for a dental procedure is necessary due to a beneficiary’s pre-existing medical condition, and when prior approval has been received from the Plan Administrator.
According to Q&A #81-15, attached hereto, certain dental and oral surgical procedures are covered under the Employer’s Plan only when performed in a hospital as part of the treatment for an illness or injury which is other- wise a covered benefit.
Q&A #81-16, a copy of which is enclosed, provides that physician services, including anesthesia services, are a covered benefit only when they are for the treatment of a medical condition for which benefits would otherwise be provided.
Opinion of Trustees Resolution of Dispute Case No. 81-425
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A Funds’ medical consultant has reviewed the medical evidence submitted and advised us that your spouse’s oral surgery is not one of the procedures listed in Article III A. (3)(e) and that, according to the information provided, your spouse does not have a pre-existing medical condition which would satisfy the requirements of Article III A. (1)(g), and the dental services she received cannot be considered part of the treatment of an otherwise covered medical condition. Therefore, your Employer is not responsible for payment for professional services, including anesthesia services, nor for the outpatient hospital charges related to your spouse’s oral surgery in this instance.
Paul R. Dean, Trustee
Sincerely,
Harrison Combs, Chairman
John J. O’Connell, Trustee ______________________________
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