Remark code N359 is an alert indicating the patient's height information is missing, incomplete, or invalid in the claim.
Remark code N359 indicates that the claim submission is missing, incomplete, or contains invalid information regarding the patient's height.
Common causes of code N359 (Missing/incomplete/invalid height) are incorrect or missing patient height information on the claim form, entry of height in an incorrect unit of measurement not accepted by the payer, or submission of height data in a format that does not comply with the payer's requirements.
Ways to mitigate code N359 include implementing a comprehensive patient intake process that ensures all demographic and health-related information, including height, is collected accurately and completely at the time of registration. Training staff to double-check this information for completeness and accuracy before submission can also help. Utilizing electronic health records (EHR) systems that flag missing or incomplete data fields can prevent this issue. Additionally, establishing a routine audit process to review and correct any discrepancies in patient data prior to claim submission can significantly reduce the occurrence of this code.
The steps to address code N359 involve a multi-faceted approach to ensure accurate and complete documentation. Initially, review the patient's medical record to verify if the height measurement was indeed taken and documented during the patient's visit. If the height is recorded in the patient's chart but was not submitted with the claim, revise the claim to include the missing information and resubmit it to the payer.
In cases where the height was not measured or documented, reach out to the patient to obtain the necessary information, if applicable and possible. For future prevention, implement a protocol within your practice's intake process to ensure that height, along with other vital measurements, is consistently recorded during patient visits. Training staff on the importance of capturing complete patient information and regularly auditing patient records for completeness can also help mitigate this issue from recurring.