Remark code N838 indicates a service was postponed due to a mandate or disaster, affecting deductible or liability calculations for the prior plan year.
Remark code N838 indicates that the service or procedure was postponed due to a federal, state, or local mandate or disaster declaration. It also specifies that any amounts that were applied to the deductible or member liability due to the postponement will be applied to the prior plan year from which the procedure was cancelled.
Common causes of code N838 are situations where a healthcare service or procedure has been delayed or rescheduled due to directives from federal, state, or local authorities, often in response to emergencies or disasters. This could include postponements due to public health emergencies, natural disasters, or other significant events that lead to government-mandated closures or restrictions on healthcare services. Additionally, this code is used when there is an impact on patient financial responsibility or insurance claims processing, specifically relating to the application of deductible or member liability amounts to a different plan year due to the postponement of services.
Ways to mitigate code N838 include implementing a robust tracking system for scheduled procedures that might be affected by unforeseen mandates or disaster declarations. This system should include alerts for the administrative team when such events occur, allowing for timely communication with patients and insurance providers. Additionally, maintaining detailed documentation of all mandates or disaster declarations and their impact on scheduled services is crucial. This documentation should be readily accessible and include dates, specific services impacted, and any correspondence with insurance companies regarding these postponements. Training staff to handle these postponements with empathy and efficiency, ensuring they understand how to adjust billing and coding to reflect the situation accurately, is also essential. Lastly, establishing a clear policy for rescheduling and communicating these changes to patients and insurers can help minimize confusion and ensure that any financial adjustments are made according to the correct plan year.
The steps to address code N838 involve several key actions to ensure proper handling and billing adjustments. First, it's essential to document the specific mandate or disaster declaration that led to the postponement of the service or procedure. This documentation should include the date of the mandate and its direct impact on the service postponement.
Next, review the patient's account to identify any charges that were applied to the deductible or member liability for the postponed service. Once identified, initiate the process to adjust these charges, ensuring they are correctly applied to the prior plan year. This may involve adjusting the billing date of the service to reflect the original planned date or directly adjusting the financial entries related to deductibles and member liabilities.
Communicate with the patient's insurance provider to confirm the adjustments have been made and to ensure that they are in agreement with the reapplication of charges to the prior plan year. It's crucial to provide the insurance company with all necessary documentation supporting the reason for the postponement and the adjustments made.
Lastly, update the patient's account and billing records to reflect these changes. Ensure that all documentation is clear and accessible for future reference. Communication with the patient regarding these adjustments is also important, ensuring they are aware of how the postponement affects their deductible and any member liability. This step helps maintain transparency and trust between the healthcare provider and the patient.