Understanding Denial Code B20 & How to Fix It
Denial Code B20 indicates that a healthcare service or procedure was either partially or fully provided by another entity. This code can disrupt your revenue flow if not addressed properly, leading to lost reimbursement opportunities.
Common Reasons for B20 Denials
- Multiple Providers Involved: Overlapping services from different providers can trigger denial if not properly coordinated.
- Lack of Authorization: Services not authorized by the referring provider may be denied.
- Incorrect Claim Submission: Submitting under the wrong NPI or tax ID can raise red flags.
- Duplicate Claims: Previously billed services may cause duplicates.
- Ambiguous Billing Ownership: Confusion over whether the facility or individual provider should bill.
- Missing Documentation: Absence of referral notes or coordination records.
- Coding & Billing Errors: Minor code mismatches can lead to major issues.
Pro Strategies to Avoid B20 Denials
1. Strengthen Provider Collaboration
- Use EHRs to share referrals and care plans.
- Implement centralized communication workflows.
2. Nail the Documentation
- Attach referral notes, progress reports, and consultation summaries.
- Use standardized forms to ensure consistency.
3. Get Your Billing Right
- Align CPT/HCPCS codes with the actual service rendered.
- Conduct routine claim audits and staff training.
4. Verify Insurance Proactively
- Double-check coverage before service.
- Know the plan-specific rules for billing multi-provider scenarios.
5. Build a Denial Response System
- Track denial trends monthly.
- Appeal timely with all required evidence.
- Use smart RCM software or outsource to experienced billing teams.
Partner with Claims Med for End-to-End Revenue Success
Don’t let Denial Code B20 drain your revenue. Claims Med offers tailored solutions to improve your claim approval rate, optimize coding practices, and reduce denial occurrences. Our team ensures seamless coordination, clean claim submission, and faster reimbursements.
📞 Let’s Talk Revenue Recovery
Need help fixing B20 denial issues? Claims Med’s experts are ready to support your billing, coding, and documentation strategies. Get in touch with us today to transform your revenue cycle and reduce denial risks.