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CPT codes, descriptions, and other data only are copyright 2008 American Medical Association (or such other date of publication of CPT). All Rights Reserved. Applicable FARS/DFARS Apply.

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Railroad Medicare
Telephone Reopening Line

Providers may request a Reopening of their Medicare claim over the telephone. Requests to reopen an initial claim to correct minor errors or omissions can be made by contacting our toll-free line at (866) 324-3073 between 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (EST, CST, MSP), and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (PST), Monday through Friday. A maximum of three (3) requests can be handled during the same telephone call.

Requests for claim status or questions about why a claim denied are considered inquiries, not reopenings. Calls about an inquiry will be referred back to the Provider Service Center for assistance.

NOTE: If your claim has been rejected as unprocessable (MA130), a corrected, new claim must be submitted. Corrections will not be made on this line.

When calling our office to request a claim correction, please be prepared to provide the following information: 

  • The provider's/physician's/supplier's name and identification number or National Supplier Clearinghouse number;
  • Beneficiary last name, first initial; and
  • Medicare HICN

NOTE: The above items must match exactly. If not, you may be instructed to research this information and call back or write in for your request.

Claim corrections can include:

  • Mathematical or computational mistakes;
  • Transposed procedure or diagnostic codes;
  • Inaccurate data entry;
  • Misapplication of a fee schedule;
  • Computer errors; or
  • Denial of claims as duplicates which the party believes were incorrectly identified as a duplicate.
  • Incorrect data items, such as provider number, use of a modifier or date of service (month and day only).

The addition/correction of the listed modifiers may be handled as reopenings on this line.

HCPCS Modifiers AA, AD, AT, E1, E2, E3, E4, GA, G8, G9, LT, KD, KX, QJ, QK, QR, QW, QX, QY, QZ, Q3, RT, SG, TC
CPT Modifiers 21, 25, 26, 50, 51, 54, 57, 58, 59, 66, 73, 74, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 82

All other modifiers may be submitted, with supporting documentation, as written requests for a Reopening or a Redetermination.

The following issues are redeterminations and must be submitted in writing:

  • Limitation on liability;
  • Medical necessity denials and reductions; or
  • Analysis of documents such as operative reports and clinical summaries
  • Claims requiring the input of medical staff or other entities outside of the reopenings department and 'big box' cases.

A reopening to add items or services that were not previously billed will not be completed. A written request must be filed.

*** The contractor has discretion in determining what meets the definition of a reopening and therefore, what could be corrected through a reopening.

 

last updated on 03/09/2009
CMS