140Denial Code (CARC)Active
CO 140 Denial Code - Fix Patient ID Mismatches
Code 140 indicates that the patient's health identification number and name do not match what is on file with the payer. This means the payer could not verify the patient's identity based on the information provided in the claim.
Who Pays: Group Code Liability
This denial typically falls under the CO group code, meaning it is a contractual obligation and cannot be billed to the patient. The provider must correct the error and resubmit the claim.
Why Claims Get Code 140
- Patient's name was misspelled on the claim.
- Incorrect health identification number entered on the claim.
- Patient's information was updated with the payer but not in the provider's system.
- Transposition error in the patient ID number.
- Patient's last name changed due to marriage or divorce and was not updated.
How to Fix & Resubmit
- Verify the patient's health identification number and name against the payer's records.
- Check for any recent changes to the patient's name or ID number due to marriage, divorce, or other updates.
- Correct any discrepancies in the patient's information in your system.
- Resubmit the corrected claim to the payer.
- Contact the payer if the issue persists after corrections.
Corrected Claim or Appeal?
For code 140, submitting a corrected claim is the appropriate action once the patient's information has been verified and corrected. An appeal is not necessary unless there is a persistent issue with the payer's records.
Preventing Future 140 Denials
- Ensure patient demographic information is verified during each visit.
- Implement a system to regularly update patient information changes, like name changes, in both the provider and payer systems.
- Double-check the patient's ID number and name before submitting claims.
- Train staff on the importance of accurate patient data entry to prevent mismatches.