Remark code MA128 indicates a claim denial due to a missing or invalid FDA approval number on medical documentation.
Remark code MA128 indicates that the claim has been flagged due to a missing, incomplete, or invalid Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval number. This number is necessary for the processing of claims involving certain medical devices or drugs that require FDA approval. The healthcare provider must provide the correct FDA approval number to ensure proper claim adjudication.
Common causes of code MA128 are typically related to the submission of claims for drugs, devices, or biological products that require premarket approval by the FDA. These causes may include:
1. The FDA approval number was not included on the claim form when it is required for the specific item or service being billed.
2. The FDA approval number provided on the claim is incorrect or has been entered improperly, such as typographical errors or formatting issues.
3. The FDA approval number is no longer valid because the approval has expired or has been revoked by the FDA.
4. The product being billed has not received FDA approval, but the claim erroneously indicates that it has, or the approval is pending and not yet finalized.
5. The claim was submitted for a product that is exempt from FDA approval, but the exemption status was not clearly indicated or was misunderstood.
6. The healthcare provider may have used an outdated or superseded FDA approval number if the product has undergone changes that require a new approval.
7. There may be a mismatch between the FDA approval number and the National Drug Code (NDC) or other identifiers used on the claim, leading to confusion about the approval status.
It is important for healthcare providers to verify the FDA approval status and ensure the correct approval number is included on claims to avoid this denial reason and ensure timely and accurate reimbursement for FDA-regulated products.
Ways to mitigate code MA128 include ensuring that all claims for drugs, biologics, or medical devices have the correct Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval number included. This can be achieved by implementing a robust verification process within your billing system that checks for the presence and validity of FDA approval numbers before claims submission. Regularly updating your database with the latest FDA-approved items and training staff to accurately record these numbers can also help prevent this code from occurring. Additionally, consider integrating a real-time eligibility solution that flags missing or invalid FDA approval numbers, allowing for immediate correction prior to claim submission.
The steps to address code MA128 involve a thorough review of the documentation for the drug or device in question to ensure that the correct Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval number is present and accurately recorded. Begin by locating the FDA approval number, which is typically found on the product labeling, package insert, or the FDA's official website. Verify that the number is complete and matches the FDA's records for the approved item. If the number is missing or incorrect, obtain the valid approval number from the appropriate documentation or source and resubmit the claim with the updated information. Ensure that all future claims for this item include the correct FDA approval number to prevent recurrence of this issue.
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