Incorrect Death Termination Records
By Bonny Kohr, Senior Manager, Advisory Services
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) learned that on August 10 and 11, 2016 incorrect death terminations for over 3,000 beneficiaries were processed, as well as over 300 incorrect death terminations processed for representative payees, which resulted in the suspension of the represented beneficiary’s benefits.
Although this is currently being worked on by the Social Security Administration (SSA) this situation needs the attention of all providers to ensure that beneficiaries with whom they work have not been affected.
It is imperative to verify patient eligibility to ensure that they have not been affected by this situation. Until this is corrected beneficiaries may be incorrectly denied services, may not be able to get their prescriptions filled or receive any medical supplies, and providers may be denied claims – all as a result of being incorrectly declared deceased. Providers who are working with beneficiaries who are affected by this are advised to hold their claims until the system has been corrected. In the meantime, providers should continue to provide needed services and supplies to these beneficiaries.
For more information, or for assistance with benefits verification, please contact a member of our Healthcare Team at 847-282-6300.
