Medicare Blog

how to fix medicare clerical error

by Abe Muller Published 2 years ago Updated 2 years ago

How to correct claim errors by clerical error reopening or requesting a redetermination

  • Redetermination. A redetermination is a written request, for a first level appeal, to the Medicare administrative...
  • General inquiry. A general inquiry is a written correspondence initiated by you that includes questions related to...
  • Submitting a new claim.

Clerical Error and Omission Reopening Request
  1. Submit completed Clerical Error/Omission Reopening Request Form.
  2. A note/remark indicating what is to be corrected.
  3. A copy of the corrected UB-04.
  4. Documentation to support the new diagnosis.
  5. Documentation to support that the denied service was rendered.
  6. Itemized bill.

Full Answer

How do I correct a clerical error in a claim?

The claim reopening process is available to correct clerical errors when the claim is beyond the timely filing limit. To request a claim reopening, complete the Clerical Error Reopening Request form and mail it along with the corrected claim form to the J15 Part A Claims Department address listed on the form.

How do I reopen an error in a Medicare claim?

Clerical error reopenings can be completed by: Submitting a written request using the Medicare redetermination and clerical error reopening request form An accepted request for a claim reopening will result in a new remittance advice notification, which will list the new internal control number (ICN) for the adjusted claim.

What is a clerical error reopening?

A clerical error reopening is a process that allows you to correct minor errors or omissions. A clerical error reopening is defined in the CMS Internet Only Manual, Publication 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 34, section 10.6:

What to do if a claim is billed in error?

Claim submissions that were billed in error (needs a line item removed) cannot be completed in the IVR, the return of monies to Medicare form or Part B redetermination and clerical error reopening request form must be used in these situations.

How do I correct a Medicare billing error?

If the issue is with the hospital or a medical provider, call them and ask to speak with the person who handles insurance. They can help assist you in correcting the billing issue. Those with Original Medicare (parts A and B) can call 1-800-MEDICARE with any billing issues.

How do I correct a rejected Medicare claim?

When a claim is denied because the information submitted was incorrect, often the claim can be reopened using a Clerical Error Reopening (CER). CERs can be used to fix errors resulting from human or mechanical errors on the part of the party or the contractor.

How long do you have to correct a Medicare claim?

Redeterminations (Appeals) Redetermination requests must be submitted within 120 days of the date on the Remittance Advice (RA). Inappropriate requests for redeterminations: Items not denied due to medical necessity. Clerical errors that can be handled as online adjustments or clerical reopenings.

How do I correct a claim on Novitasphere?

Step 1: Access the Claim Correction feature on the left sidebar. Step 2: Access the claim by entering the required fields (marked by a red *) in the Claim Correction screen, and click the Search button. Step 3: Clic k the Reopen Claim for Correction button to perform a Claim Correction.

What is a Medicare clerical reopening?

A clerical error/omission reopening is an action taken to change an initial determination to correct minor errors or omissions outside of the Medicare appeal process.

How do I resubmit Medicare claims?

To submit a corrected claim to Medicare, make the correction and resubmit it as a regular claim (Claim Type is Default) and Medicare will process it. 1. Hover over Billing and choose Live Claims Feed. 2.

How do I correct my Medicare application?

Users may still request a correction via phone and/or e-mail if the enrollment application is currently being processed by a Medicare contractor. The new information, however, cannot be given and accepted via phone or e-mail. It must still be submitted through Internet-based PECOS.

What is the resubmission code for a corrected claim?

7Complete box 22 (Resubmission Code) to include a 7 (the "Replace" billing code) to notify us of a corrected or replacement claim, or insert an 8 (the “Void” billing code) to let us know you are voiding a previously submitted claim.

What constitutes a corrected claim?

A corrected claim is a replacement of a previously submitted claim (e.g., changes or corrections to charges, clinical or procedure codes, dates of service, member information, etc.). A corrected claim is not an inquiry or appeal.

What is resubmission code1?

The frequency code is a code on the claim that references the type of submission. Usually, this code is set to 1 (for original claim). However, if you file a corrected claim, you would set this to either 6 or 7.

What is the difference between a corrected claim and a replacement claim?

A corrected or replacement claim is a replacement of a previously submitted claim (e.g., changes or corrections to charges, clinical or procedure codes, dates of service, member information, etc.). The new claim will be considered as a replacement of a previously processed claim.

What is a redetermination request?

The first level of an appeal, a Redetermination, is a request to review a claim when there is a dissatisfaction with the original determination. A Redetermination is an independent re-examination of an initial claim determination.

What is a Medicare redetermination?

A redetermination is a written request, for a first level appeal, to the Medicare administrative contractor to review claim data when you are dissatisfied with the original claim determination. The redetermination is an independent process to re-evaluate the claim. To submit a redetermination request, please complete the Medicare Part A redetermination/clerical error reopening request form.

What is general inquiry?

A general inquiry is a written correspondence initiated by you that includes questions related to Medicare billing, processing or payments. There may be times when a redetermination cannot be accepted, and the request will be forwarded to the general inquires department for a response to you.

What is a clerical error reopening?

A clerical error reopening is a process that allows you to change claim data without submitting a written appeal. You can fax a clerical error reopening form. You cannot submit a reopening to add items or services not previously billed.

How long does it take to file a redetermination?

At this point, if applicable, you can file a new redetermination if it's within the 120-day timeframe. If a redetermination is not accepted and sent to general inquires it must meet privacy requirements or it may not process. The privacy requirements include:

Can a claim be appealed?

Claims that are considered to be unprocessable (missing, incomplete, or invalid information which is needed to process the claim) cannot be appealed, thus causing the redetermination to be returned to you with a letter of unacceptance.

How Do I Pay My Premium?

For Part B, your premium will be taken out of your Social Security check once you start collecting on Social Security. Before that time, or if you don’t qualify for Social Security, you can pay your Part B premium online using a debit card, credit card, or a connected bank account.

What To Do If There Is A Medicare Billing Error, Or You Suspect One Occurred

Billions of dollars move around the government, hospitals, and the population’s collective pockets every year for Medicare coverage. Billing issues can arise from all this money moving hands. In fact, a 2017 report said that there were about $36 billion worth of billing errors that year.

What does "denial of claim" mean?

Denials mean that the insurance company saw the claim and decided not to pay the full amount or sometimes decline to pay at all. It is the biller’s responsibility to send any relevant information to support the claim being paid.

Why is my insurance claim rejected?

A claim can get rejected for a variety of reasons ranging from customer demographic information to incorrect coding. Insurances will include a reject reason code on the explanation of benefits (EOB). These can sometimes be difficult to decode. Be sure to look up the reason for rejection and examine the claim fully to find the error.

Why is it important not to repeat the same errors?

To avoid wasting more time and prevent future claim corrections, it is important not to repeat the same errors. As an example, duplicate claims happen sometimes. These errors are mostly preventable, though.

Can you resubmit a medical claim electronically?

Resubmit the Insurance Claim or Re-determination. Depending upon medical billing software capabilities and insurance companies’ requests, claims can be corrected and resubmitted electronically. This is faster and easier; however, paper claims are sometimes necessary.

Can a claim be corrected on the portal?

The claim can be corrected on the portal, and a reopening can be initiated. Paper corrected claims can be printed and mailed to the insurance company with a cover sheet explaining the changes. The submission must show it is a corrected claim regardless of the delivery method.

Do patients know their primary or secondary insurance?

Some patients don’t know or understand their coverage (primary, secondary, tertiary). The billing team’s experience, along with eligibility verification, should help determine which insurance gets the claim first. It is also worth mentioning that coding the claim correctly is of the utmost importance.

What is a redetermination in Medicare?

A redetermination is a written request, for a first level appeal, to the Medicare administrative contractor to review claim data when you are dissatisfied with the original claim determination. The redetermination is an independent process to re-evaluate the claim.

What is general inquiry?

A general inquiry is a written correspondence initiated by you that includes questions related to Medicare billing, processing or payments. There may be times when a redetermination cannot be accepted, and the request will be forwarded to the general inquires department for a response to you.

What is a clerical error reopening?

A clerical error reopening is a process that allows you to change claim data without submitting a written appeal. You can fax a clerical error reopening form. You cannot submit a reopening to add items or services not previously billed.

How long does it take to file a redetermination?

At this point, if applicable, you can file a new redetermination if it's within the 120-day timeframe. If a redetermination is not accepted and sent to general inquires it must meet privacy requirements or it may not process. The privacy requirements include:

Can a claim be appealed?

Claims that are considered to be unprocessable (missing, incomplete, or invalid information which is needed to process the claim) cannot be appealed, thus causing the redetermination to be returned to you with a letter of unacceptance.

What is CMS 937?

CMS provides instructions for reopening activities conducted by MACs. Section 937 of the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA) required CMS to establish a process whereby providers, physicians, and suppliers could correct minor error or omissions outside of the appeals process.

How long does it take for a remittance to reopen?

A provider, physician, or supplier may request a reopening up to one year from the receipt of the initial Remittance Notice. If the provider, physician, or supplier would like to request a reopening after the one-year time limit has expired, they may request the reopening in writing.

What to do if a claim is rejected as unprocessable?

If the original denial is rejected as unprocessable, submit a new claim. If the claim in question is in process, you must wait until after the claim has processed before requesting a reopening. If there has been no claim submitted, submit a new claim.

Is CPT a warranty?

CPT is provided "as is" without warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, including but not limited to, the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a particular purpose. No fee schedules, basic unit, relative values or related listings are included in CPT.

Is CPT copyrighted?

End User Point and Click Agreement: CPT codes, descriptions and other data only are copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association (AMA).

Can you add services not previously billed to a claim?

Services not previously billed cannot be added to the claim . Example, the billed amount and units cannot be changed on the same line. A previously adjusted claim cannot be adjusted again. Some situations would not be appropriate for the reopening process.

What is the redetermination process?

The redetermination process is the first level of appeal and applies to a claim or line item that receives a full or partial denial (identified as a claim in location DB9997 or a claim/line level reason code that begins with the number five or seven).

What is ADR process?

The ADR process is used to notify you that a claim has been selected for medical review and is a request for you to send any medical documentation that supports the service (s) rendered and billed.

How long does it take to process a J15 claim?

Otherwise, you may contact the J15 Part A Provider Contact Center at (866) 590-6703 if the claim has not moved to a finalized location (XB9997) after 30 days (new claim) or 60 days (adjusted claim). The claim is missing information necessary to process the claim. The claim can be corrected or resubmitted.

When a claim is submitted to the Fiscal Intermediary Shared System (FISS), multiple editing processes are applied

When a claim is submitted to the Fiscal Intermediary Shared System (FISS), multiple editing processes are applied to identify possible errors. The chart below summarizes what happens to a claim that is subject to an edit and the appropriate process available to make claim corrections. Additional information about each claim correction process follows.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9