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Surgical Dressings Pre-Pay Review Quarterly Status Report

Below is the analysis of claim denials for surgical dressings HCPCS codes A6010, A6021, A6196-A6199, A6203, A6209-A6212, A6231-A6233, A6234-A6241, A6242-A6248, and A6251-A6256 reviewed between October 1 and December 31, 2023. The error rate for this quarter is 39.81%. The top 10 reasons for claim denials are as follows:

Rank Reason Percent
1. The medical records do not establish that the dressing is being used as a primary or secondary dressing or for some non-covered use (e.g. wound cleansing). 14.38%
2. Medical records do not support that the surgical dressings are required for either the treatment of a wound caused by, or treated by, a surgical procedure; or when required after debridement of a wound. 14.05%
3. The monthly evaluation of the wound by the healthcare professional did not include the type of each wound, its location, its size and depth, the amount of drainage and any other relevant information. 12.75%
4. Frequency of use or frequency of change is not supported by the medical records. 9.48%
5. The medical records do not show that the Foam dressing is being used on a full thickness wound with moderate to heavy exudate (Stage III or Stage IV ulcer). When used as a secondary dressing, medical records should support very heavy exudate. 9.15%
6. The medical records received lack sufficient information concerning the beneficiary's condition to determine if medical necessity coverage criteria were met. 6.21%
7. The documentation does not contain a valid Standard Written Order (SWO). Refer to Standard Documentation Requirements for All Claims Submitted to DME MACs (A55426)External Website 5.88%
8. The medical records do not show that the Alginate or other fiber gelling dressing or filler is being used to cover or fill a moderately to highly exudative full thickness wound (Stage III or Stage IV ulcer). 5.23%
9. The medical record documentation is not authenticated (handwritten or electronic) by the author. Refer to Medicare Program Integrity Manual 100-08, Chapter 3, Section 3.3.2.4External PDF 4.58%
10. Payment for supplies billed above normal policy usage is being denied due to lack of documentation to support that they are reasonable and necessary. 3.92%

*The total percentage will be greater than 100% because some claims were denied for multiple reasons.

**The error rate included is an overall average for the supplier specific reviews as a part of the Targeted Probe and Educate program. This is not meant to represent an overall error rate for the HCPCS code or policy under medical record review.

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Updated: February 2, 2024

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