Bronx Acupuncture Therapy, P.C. v Hereford Ins. Co., 2017 NY Slip Op 51452(U)(App. Term 2d Dept. 2017)
“It is undisputed that defendant denied plaintiff’s claim for services billed under CPT code 97039 in its entirety. Because the workers’ compensation fee schedule has assigned a “By Report” designation for that CPT code, a provider billing under that CPT code is required to furnish certain additional documentation to enable the insurer to determine the appropriate amount of reimbursement. Plaintiff properly argues that where, as here, a provider does not [*2]provide such documentation with its claim form, and the insurer will not pay the claim as submitted, 11 NYCRR 65-3.5 (b) requires the insurer to, within 15 business days of its receipt of the claim form, request “any additional verification required by the insurer to establish proof of claim” (see Bronx Acupuncture Therapy, P.C. v Hereford Ins. Co., 54 Misc 3d 135[A], 2017 NY Slip Op 50101[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2017]).
The record demonstrates that defendant received the claim form and that, with respect to the services at issue, its denial of the claim was based upon a failure to provide documentation. Plaintiff correctly argues that, because defendant never requested such documentation, defendant’s denial of claim form is without merit as a matter of law. Consequently, the branch of defendant’s motion seeking summary judgment dismissing so much of the complaint as sought to recover for services billed under CPT code 97039 should have been denied and the branch of plaintiff’s cross motion seeking summary judgment on that portion of the complaint should have been granted (see Westchester Med. Ctr. v Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 78 AD3d 1168 [2010]; Ave T MPC Corp. v Auto One Ins. Co., 32 Misc 3d 128[A], 2011 NY Slip Op 51292[U] [App Term, 2d Dept, 2d, 11th & 13th Jud Dists 2011]).”
It is hard not to have seen this result coming. But it should be made clear that the failure to seek verification does not end the inquiry. Assuming, as is usually the case, that verification is not sought, an expert review is necessary to determine the compensability, if any, of the service. Similar to the failure to seek verification when the defense is lack of medical necessity, the provider can argue that the review is based upon an inadequate factual basis.
One Response
If the carrier has an affidavit from a coder saying the fees are not justified and the plaintiff has no rebuttal isn’t that like a peer review with no rebuttal? A plaintiff cant just make a blanket statement that verification is required. And what logic allows the Court to ignore the ground ruls in the FS?