Non Covered Services Denial Code CO 46

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Non Covered Services Denial Code CO 46

 

What do you do when you are presented with a patient who needs treatment but

  • The patient’s insurance company will not pay for the services?
  • Can you provide the services anyway?
  • Who will pay for them?
  • How do you collect payment for such services?

If the patient consents to receive the services in spite of the insurance company’s refusal to pay for such services, you will likely be able to bill the patient directly. However, in order to do so, there are certain requirements that you must satisfy.

Reason for Non-Coverage

Several reasons exist for why a particular service may not be covered by Medicare, Medicaid or a commercial insurance provider. Medicare specifically identifies four categories of items and services that are not covered, which are generally applicable to commercial payers as well. The four categories are:

  1. Services that are not medically reasonable and necessary.

Services that are not medically reasonable and necessary to the patient’s overall diagnosis and treatment are not covered. To be considered medically necessary, the services must meet specific criteria defined by national coverage determinations and local coverage determinations. For each service billed, you must identify the specific patient symptom or complaint that necessitates the service.

  1. Non-covered services.

Some services are just not covered by certain payers. These include, but are not limited to, services furnished outside the U.S., certain routine physical checkups, eye examinations, eyeglasses and lenses, hearing aids and examinations, certain immunizations, personal comfort items and services, custodial care, and cosmetic surgery.

  1. Services denied as bundled or included in the basic allowance of another service.

services that are denied as bundled or included in the basic allowance of another service include fragmented services that are part of the basic allowance of the initial service, in addition to prolonged care, physician standby services, certain case management services and supplies included in the basic allowance of a procedure.

  1. Services reimbursable by other organizations or furnished without charge.

Some services are reimbursable under automobile, no-fault or liability insurance, or workers’ compensation programs and, therefore, are not covered by Medicare. Also, payment will not be made for the following: certain services authorized or paid by a government entity; services for which the patient, another individual or an organization has no legal obligation to pay for or furnish (e.g., X-rays or immunizations gratuitously furnished to patient without regard to patient’s ability to pay and without expectation of payment from any source); defective medical equipment; medical devices under warranty if they are replaced free of charge by the warrantor; or if an acceptable replacement could have been obtained free of charge under the warranty but was purchased instead.

There are three modifiers to consider when dealing with non-covered services: 

  • GX – Notice of liability issued, voluntary payer policy. A -GX modifier should be attached to the line item that is considered an excluded, non-covered service. The -GX modifier indicates you provided the notice to the beneficiary that the service was voluntary and likely not a covered service.
  • GY – Item or service statutorily excluded, does not meet the definition of any Medicare benefit or for non-Medicare insurers, and is not a contract benefit. If you do not provide the beneficiary with notice that the services are excluded from coverage, you should append modifier -GY to the line item. Modifier -GY indicates a notice of liability (ABN) was not provided to the beneficiary.
  • GZ – Item or service expected to be denied as not reasonable and necessary. Modifier -GZ should be added to the claim line when it is determined an ABN should have been obtained, but was not.

Learn More…

PR 96 & CO 96 Denial Code and Action – Non-covered Charges

The Ultimate Guide to Pain Management Billing Services and EHR

RPM Care Management Services Coding Tips

 

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