Agencies need to ensure they are accurately submitting requests for an exception to NOA timeliness requirements, according to Palmetto GBA.
 
The Medicare Administrative Contractor has seen an increase of invalid late Home Health Notice of Admissions (NOAs) exception requests, according to a Jan. 13, 2025, note to providers.
 
They note that agencies are requesting late NOA exceptions when the NOA was received timely. “This is done by applying the KX modifier and/or remarks unnecessarily on claims,” the alert states. “This will cause the claim to suspend, delay its processing and the claim may be returned for correction.”
 
System errors were common in the early days of the NOA, but they’re infrequent these days. Palmetto stresses that the MAC will provide the “exact remarks” agencies should use when requesting an exception for a Medicare system issue.
 
“If the provided remarks are available and not used, it may cause delays in processing the exception or a denied exception request and lost reimbursement,” Palmetto states.