Postpayment Service-Specific Probe Results for HBO Therapy for January Through March 2021

Postpayment Service-Specific Probe Results for HCPCS Code G0277 — HBO Therapy — in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia for January Through March 2021

Palmetto GBA performed a service-specific post payment probe review on HCPCS Code G0277— HBO Therapy. This edit was set in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia. The results for the probe review, for claims processed January through March, 2021, are presented here.

Cumulative Results
A total of 285 claims were reviewed in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia combined. 144 of the claims were either completely or partially denied, resulting in an overall claim denial rate of 50.53 percent. The total dollars reviewed was $528,827.62, of which $225,654.86 was denied, resulting in a charge denial rate of 42.67 percent. Overall, there was a total of 22 auto-denied claims in the region. 

North Carolina Results
A total of 136 claims were reviewed, with 61 of the claims either completely or partially denied. This resulted in a claim denial rate of 44.85 percent. The total dollars reviewed was $249,863.19, of which $86,843.19 was denied, resulting in a charge denial rate of 34.76 percent. The top denial reasons were identified, and the number of occurrences was based on dollars denied. 

South Carolina Results
A total of 17 claims were reviewed, with 11 of the claims either completely or partially denied. This resulted in a claim denial rate of 64.71 percent. The total dollars reviewed was $36,506.41, of which $21,432.01 was denied, resulting in a charge denial rate of 58.71 percent. The top denial reasons were identified, and the number of occurrences was based on dollars denied. 

Virginia Results
A total of 74 claims were reviewed, with 29 of the claims either completely or partially denied. This resulted in a claim denial rate of 39.19 percent. The total dollars reviewed was $223,039.47 of which $103,201.01 was denied, resulting in a charge denial rate of 46.27 percent. The top denial reasons were identified, and the number of occurrences was based on dollars denied. 

West Virginia Results
A total of 58 claims were reviewed, with 43 of the claims either completely or partially denied. This results in a claim denial rate of 74.14 percebt. The total dollars reviewed was $19,418.55, of which $14,178.65 was denied, resulting in a charge denial rate of 73.02 percent. The top denial reasons were identified, and the number of occurrences was based on dollars denied. 

Denial Reasons and Prevention Recommendations

5D164/5H164 — No Documentation of Medical Necessity

Reason for Denial
This claim was fully or partially denied because the documentation submitted for review does not support the medical necessity of some of the services billed.

How to Avoid This Denial

• Submit all documentation related to the services billed which support the medical necessity of the services
   
• A legible signature is required on all documentation necessary to support orders and medical necessity
   
• Use the most appropriate ICD-10-CM codes to identify the beneficiary’s medical diagnosis

More Information

• Code of Federal Regulations, 42 CFR — Section 411.15
• Social Security Act (SSA) — Section 1862(a)(1)(A)
• Local Coverage Determination (LCD) and National Coverage Determination (NCD) articles on Palmetto GBA's website
• CMS Internet-Only Manual (IOM), Pub 100-08, Medicare Program Integrity Manual, Chapter 3, Section 3.3.2.4 (PDF, 652.50 KB)
• CMS Medicare Learning Network (MLN) Matters article MM6698: Signature Guidelines for Medical Review Purposes
• Medicare Medical Records: Signature Requirements Acceptable and Unacceptable Practices

5DMDP/5HMDP — Dependent Services Denied (Qualifying Service Denied Medically)

Reason for Denial
The dependent services will not be covered if the qualifying surgery has been denied. For example, the surgical procedure was denied as documentation did not support medical necessity, therefore all other charges cannot be allowed and will be denied as dependent to the medical denial of the qualifying service.

How to Avoid This Denial
Documentation that may be helpful to avoid future denials for this reason may include, but is not limited to, all documentation to support orders, documentation of services rendered and documentation of medical necessity for the qualifying services for the date(s) billed,

More Information

• 42 (CFR) Code of Federal Regulations, Section 410.32
• CMS Internet-Only Manual (IOM), Pub 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 1, Section 120 (PDF, 589.83 KB)
   

5D920/5H920 — The Recommended Protocol was not Ordered and/or Followed

Reason for Denial
Medicare cannot pay for this service because one or more requirements for coverage were not met.

How to Avoid This Denial
Documentation that may be helpful to avoid future denials for this reason may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Clear physician’s order with indication of need, dose, frequency and route 
• Date and time of associated chemotherapy, as applicable
• Relevant history and physical and/or progress notes
• Clear indication of the diagnosis
• Clinical signs and symptoms
• Prior treatment and response, as applicable
• Stage of treatment, as applicable 
• Documentation of administration 

More Information

• CMS Internet-Only Manual (IOM), Pub 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 15, Section 50 (PDF, 1.55 MB)
• CMS Internet-Only Manual (IOM), Pub 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 17 (PDF, 493.16 KB)
   

5D169/5H169 — Services Not Documented

Reason for Denial
This claim was partially or fully denied because the provider billed for services/items not documented in the medical record submitted.

How to Avoid This Denial

• Submit all documentation related to the services billed
• Ensure that results submitted are for the date of service billed, the correct beneficiary and the specific service billed

More Information

• Code of Federal Regulations, 42 CFR — Sections 410.32 and 424.5
• Articles on responding to an outpatient therapy Additional Documentation Request (ADR) on the Palmetto GBA website
   

5D199/5H199 — Billing Error

Reason for Denial
The services billed were not covered. According to documentation in the medical record, the hospital has billed items and/or services in error. The hospital may not charge the beneficiary for items and/or services that were billed in error.

How to Avoid This Denial
To avoid future denials for this reason:

• Check all bills for accuracy prior to submitting to Medicare
• Ensure that the documentation submitted, in response to the ADR, corresponds with the date that the service/diagnostic test was rendered, and the dates of service billed
   

5D151/5H151 — Units Billed More Than Ordered

Reason for Denial 
The physician’s orders submitted did not cover all the units billed.

How to Avoid This Denial
To avoid unnecessary denials for this reason, the provider should ensure that the physician’s orders cover all the services to be billed prior to billing Medicare. When responding to an Additional Documentation Request (ADR), ensure that all orders for services billed are included with the medical records.  

More Information

• 42 (CFR) Codes of Federal Regulations, Sections 410.27 and 424.5
• CMS Internet-Only Manual (IOM), Pub 100-04, Medicare Claims Processing Manual, Chapter 17, Section 90.2 (PDF, 493.16 KB)

5DTDP/5HTDP — Dependent Services Denied (Qualifying Service Denied Technically)

Reason for Denial
The dependent services will not be covered if the qualifying surgery has been denied.  For example, the surgical procedure was not documented, therefore all other charges cannot be allowed.

How to Avoid This Denial
Documentation that may be helpful to avoid future denials for this reason may include, but is not limited to, all documentation to support orders, documentation of services rendered and the medical necessity of qualifying services for the date(s) billed.

More Information

• 42 (CFR) Code of Federal Regulations, Section 410.32
• CMS Internet-Only Manual (IOM), Pub 100-02, Medicare Benefit Policy Manual, Chapter 1, Section 120 (PDF, 589.83 KB)
   

The Next Steps
The service-specific targeted medical review edits for HCPCS Code G0277 HBO Therapy in North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia and West Virginia will be continued based on moderate charge denial rates and medium to high impact severity errors. If significant billing aberrancies are identified, provider-specific review may be initiated.

If you are dissatisfied with a claim determination you have the right to request an appeal. Palmetto GBA encourages you to review the documentation originally submitted, and if you believe you have additional supporting documentation you may include this information with your appeal. For more information related to the appeals process please refer to Redetermination:1st Level Appeal Form for JM Part A and for JM Part B regarding this medical review can be directed to the Palmetto GBA Provider Contact Center at 855–696–0705.