Remark code M18 indicates if services are approved for home use, specifying that hospitals and SNFs are not classified as homes.
Remark code M18 indicates that specific services may be authorized for use in the patient's home setting. It clarifies that neither a hospital nor a Skilled Nursing Facility qualifies as a patient's home for the purposes of these services.
Common causes of code M18 are:
1. The claim was submitted for services that are designated for home use, but the place of service was incorrectly listed as a hospital or skilled nursing facility.
2. There may have been an error in the patient's address or location information, leading to a mismatch between the service provided and the approved location.
3. The billing staff might have used an incorrect procedure code that is specifically tied to home services, while the service was actually provided in a hospital or SNF setting.
4. The healthcare provider may have failed to update the patient's records to reflect a change in the patient's place of residence from a facility to a home setting.
5. The payer's system might have outdated or incorrect information about the patient's current living situation, resulting in an inappropriate application of code M18.
6. There could be a lack of proper documentation to support the claim that the service was indeed provided in the patient's home rather than in a hospital or SNF.
Ways to mitigate code M18 include ensuring that the place of service is correctly identified and documented when billing for home use services. It's important to verify that the patient's address on file reflects their actual residence and not a hospital or skilled nursing facility. Additionally, providers should educate their staff on the distinctions between different care settings and ensure that services rendered are appropriate for home use according to the patient's current living situation. Regular audits of billing practices can also help catch and correct any discrepancies before claims are submitted.
The steps to address code M18 involve verifying the location where the services were rendered and ensuring that the claim reflects the appropriate setting. If the services were indeed provided in the patient's home, you should review the claim to confirm that the place of service (POS) code accurately indicates a home setting. If the POS is incorrect, you will need to correct it and resubmit the claim.
In the case that the services were provided in a hospital or SNF, you should check if the services are covered under these settings according to the patient's insurance plan. If they are covered, update the claim with the correct POS code and any necessary documentation that supports the medical necessity of the services being provided in that setting, then resubmit the claim.
If the services are not covered in a hospital or SNF setting, you may need to contact the insurer to discuss the possibility of an appeal or an exception based on the patient's specific circumstances.
Additionally, ensure that future claims for similar services are submitted with the correct POS from the outset to avoid this issue.
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