Reminder: Be sure to include occurrence code 11 and onset date when billing for medical emergencies

When billing for a medical emergency or accidental illness, facility providers should be sure to report occurrence code 11 on their claim and include the onset date of the condition. This is important because Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan benefit policy doesn’t allow payment of outpatient facility claims for these services when the onset date of a patient’s symptoms (or illness) is more than 72 hours before the date of service on a claim.

Making sure that you include the occurrence code and onset date — and bill according to our benefit policy — helps reduce potential claim rejections and overpayment recoveries.

Consult your provider manual for more information on billing and coding.