If you’re running into U5181 claims returns and can’t figure out why, you may want to look at correct date usage. “Hospices must report occurrence code (OC) 27 and the date on all notices of election (NOEs) and initial claims following a hospice election and on all subsequent claims when the claim’s dates of service overlap the first day of the next benefit period,” HHH Medicare Administrative Contractor CGS explains in article about the code. Important: For those scenarios in which the dates of service overlap the first day of the next benefit period, “the OC 27 date reported is the first day of the new benefit period,” CGS stresses. More OC 27 tips are at www.cgsmedicare.com/hhh/pubs/news/2018/1118/cope9815.html.