N46Remark Code (RARC)Active
N46 Remark Code - Missing Admission Hour Explained
The N46 remark code indicates that there is a missing, incomplete, or invalid admission hour associated with the claim. This remark supplements an adjustment described by the accompanying reason code, pointing out an issue specifically related to the admission hour details provided in the claim submission.
How It Relates to the Denial
The N46 remark typically accompanies reason codes that indicate claim adjustments due to errors in reported admission times. This combination signals that while an adjustment has been made, further clarification regarding the admission hour is necessary to resolve the issue.
Common Scenarios
1A hospital submits a claim for an inpatient stay but fails to include the specific hour of admission. The remittance shows an adjustment with a reason code for incomplete information.
→ The N46 remark clarifies that the adjustment is specifically due to the missing admission hour, and the payer expects this information to be corrected for proper processing.
2A skilled nursing facility bills for services rendered but lists an invalid admission hour, such as a non-standard time format. The remittance reflects an adjustment for this error.
→ The N46 remark indicates that the payer found the admission hour to be invalid, necessitating a review and correction of this data to proceed with the claim.
3A claim for emergency room services is submitted without specifying the admission hour, leading to an adjustment on the remittance advice. The N46 remark appears alongside the adjustment reason code.
→ Here, the N46 remark points out that the absence of an admission hour is the specific reason for the adjustment, and the payer requires this detail to be included for claim resolution.
What to Do
- Review the admission details provided in the claim submission.
- Correct any missing or invalid admission hour information.
- Resubmit the claim with the accurate admission hour included.
What to Check
- The claim file to confirm the admission hour was included and formatted correctly.
- Payer guidelines regarding acceptable formats for admission hours.
- Any communication from the payer that may clarify the expected admission hour details.