insurance denial - Patient/insured health identification number and name do not match

Denial Messages:

CO 140: Patient/insured health identification number and name do not match.

CO 13: The date of death precedes the date of service.

Services were denied for one or more of the following reasons:

• Patient cannot be identified as our insured. The name or Medicare number was incorrect or missing. Please check the patient’s Medicare card.

• The date of death precedes the date of service.

• Expenses were incurred prior to coverage.

• Expenses were incurred after coverage terminated.

• Expenses were incurred prior to coverage. The service was not covered by Medicare at the time the patient received it.

Suggestions to reduce or eliminate these kinds of claim denials:

• Patient screening is vital to an office’s success in capturing the necessary information for correct claim submission.

• Office staff should obtain additional patient information when registering patients. Usually this is accomplished by the patient completing a medical information/history and insurance information form.

Pay close attention to:

o Obtaining the patient’s full name directly from the card.

o Patient address and phone number.

o Obtaining the name and identification number of other insurance (Medicare or other type of insurance plan involved).

o Date of birth.