E/M Coding Alert - 2019 Issue 1
Appeals: Thoroughly Investigate Your Denials with These Expert Tips
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Article Overview
This article is a payer-denial appeals guide for billing, coding, and revenue cycle professionals. It focuses on how to investigate denial reasons, gather supporting evidence, reference applicable rules and contract language, and manage appeals workflow details such as timing and submission routing. The piece is relevant to practices that handle claim denials, appeals, and documentation follow-up across specialty settings.
Why This Topic Matters
Understanding denial patterns and appeal process fundamentals can help a practice respond more effectively, avoid repeat denials, and support cleaner communication with payers and patients.
Article Sections
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Review Remark Codes
Discusses the importance of reviewing payer explanation forms and denial remarks to understand the basis for an appeal. Emphasizes aligning the response with the payer’s stated concerns and requested documentation.
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Check Bundling Issues
Addresses denial review related to coding and bundling questions. Focuses on checking whether services were combined correctly and whether documentation and claim submission were complete.
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Utilize Regulations, Correct Citations for Context and Support
Covers using supporting policy and regulatory references to strengthen an appeal. Notes the value of citing authoritative language and maintaining consistency with contractual obligations.
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Bring in the Patient
Explains the patient’s role in the appeal process and the value of requesting more detailed payer criteria. Focuses on using additional context to help frame a response to the denial.
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Know Your Contractual Rights
Reviews how payer review credentials and contract provisions can affect the appeal path. Highlights the importance of understanding who reviewed the claim and what review rights may apply.
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Be Timely in Your Appeals
Discusses the importance of filing appeals promptly and preparing all supporting materials early. Covers workflow considerations that can affect how a denial is handled.
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Send to the Correct Department
Explains the need to route appeal requests to the proper payer department. Focuses on avoiding delays caused by submitting appeals to the same location used for initial claims.
What You Will Learn
- How to evaluate denial information before preparing an appeal
- How to organize supporting documentation and references for a denial response
- How appeal timing and routing affect the denial process
- How payer review structure and contract language can shape an appeal strategy
Who Should Read This
- Medical coders
- Billing staff
- Revenue cycle teams
- Practice managers
- Compliance staff
- Physician office administrators
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