A frequent cause of claim denials by Medi-Cal is due to incorrect recipient admission and discharge dates and/or incorrect patient status codes submitted by providers. Erroneous “from-through” dates or patient status billed by one provider and paid by Medi-Cal can result in the denial of correct claims billed by another provider. This often occurs between hospitals and nursing homes during the transfer of the recipient. Providers see this on their Remittance Advice Details (RADs) as a claim denied by RAD code 010.

Should the denied provider choose to dispute the claim and there is no resolution between the two providers regarding the dates in question, Medi-Cal could recoup the full reimbursement of the original erroneously paid claim, and will not make an adjustment without a correction request from that provider.

Incorrectly paid and denied claims can also create incorrect provider reimbursement data and inaccuracies in the health service records that may impact beneficiary share of cost, access to services and estate recovery.

For assistance in resolving these issues, providers are advised to write to the Correspondence Specialist Unit at:

Correspondence Specialist Unit
P.O. Box 13029
Sacramento, CA  95813-4029

For information about proper claim form completion, refer to the claim completion section in the appropriate Part 2 manual.