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Where Is Your Billing Falling Short?

Published on Thu Feb 24, 2005

Use denial codes to pinpoint your problem areas.

If you want to save yourself major time and money, you'd be wise to look at the latest denial codes for home health agencies.

Regional home health intermediary Palmetto GBA has issued the most common denial reasons as of December, and examining them closely can be the first step to improving your bottom line, says consultant Lynda Dilts-Benson with Reingruber & Co. in St. Petersburg, FL.

Most of these denials are easy to fix before they ever get started. Look closely at the denial codes you receive to uncover your trouble spots, Dilts-Benson urges. "The reason codes point to your problems," she tells Eli.

For example, if you're having problems with OASIS documentation, code 5DOWN will plague you frequently. Then you know that OASIS education is most likely in order.

If you aren't getting orders in place and dated correctly before billing, codes 5F011 and 5T073 will come up often. Then you'll probably have to revamp your system for tracking the documents.

Editor's Note: Eli's Home Care Week will examine the most common denials and their solutions in coming issues.
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