Remark code MA22 indicates a payment under $1.00 was not issued, as it's below the minimum threshold for processing.
Remark code MA22 indicates that a payment which would have been less than $1.00 was not issued. This suppression of payment is typically a standard practice to avoid the administrative costs associated with processing very small payment amounts. Providers should be aware that this does not necessarily mean the claim was denied, but rather that the payment was deemed too minimal to process.
Common causes of code MA22 are:
1. The payment amount for the service provided is less than the minimum threshold set by the payer, typically $1.00, which leads to automatic suppression of the payment.
2. The claim line item has been adjusted due to a contractual agreement or fee schedule that results in a residual balance under $1.00, which is not paid out.
3. The payer's system is programmed to automatically suppress small balance payments to minimize administrative costs associated with processing and issuing checks or electronic payments for trivial amounts.
4. Accumulated multiple adjustments on a single claim have resulted in a net payable amount that falls below the $1.00 threshold.
5. The service provided is grouped with other services under a bundled payment arrangement, and the individual service's allocated amount is less than $1.00 after the bundling calculation.
6. The claim has been processed with a co-insurance, deductible, or co-payment that, when applied, leaves a remaining balance of less than $1.00, which is then not paid.
7. There may be an error in the claim submission or processing that inadvertently caused the payment to be reduced to less than $1.00, triggering the suppression of payment.
Ways to mitigate code MA22 include implementing a thorough review process to ensure that all claims are accurate and complete before submission. This involves verifying patient eligibility, confirming coverage details, and checking for any specific payer policies that might affect payment amounts.
Additionally, regularly updating the charge master to reflect current procedural codes and prices can help prevent discrepancies that lead to minimal payment suppression.
Training staff on proper coding techniques and staying current with coding updates is also essential.
Regular audits of billing practices can identify patterns that may result in suppressed payments, allowing for corrective action to be taken.
Lastly, consider consolidating charges when appropriate, as this can sometimes avoid multiple small payments that may be suppressed due to their size.
The steps to address code MA22 involve a few key actions to ensure proper payment reconciliation and accounting. First, review the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) or Remittance Advice (RA) to confirm that the suppression of payment under $1.00 is consistent with the payer's policy. Next, document the adjustment in your practice management system to reflect the suppressed payment, ensuring that your accounts receivable accurately represents this decision.
If the suppressed amount impacts a patient's deductible or out-of-pocket maximum, you may need to adjust the patient's account accordingly. Additionally, consider aggregating suppressed amounts over time to identify if there is a pattern that warrants a discussion with the payer. If the suppressed payments accumulate to a significant sum, reach out to the payer to discuss the possibility of receiving a lump sum payment.
Lastly, ensure that your billing team is trained to recognize and handle small balance write-offs efficiently, and update your financial policy if necessary to address how these small balances are managed. Regularly auditing such suppressed payments can also help in identifying any systemic issues that may need to be addressed with your billing processes or with the payer directly.
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