Home Health Billing When a New MBI is Assigned

A patient’s MBI number is required on all home health billing submitted to Medicare. CMS will issue a new MBI when an original MBI may have been, or has been compromised. There are times a home health admission period has started and the patient is later assigned a new MBI. HHAs have encountered the following scenarios when a new MBI is issued:

• The admission period has started and the NOA processed under the old MBI.
  • The NOA does not need to be canceled and resubmitted under the new MBI. The HHA needs to enter the new MBI on anything billed on or after the effective date of the new MBI. The HHA must also correct the OASIS, if needed, to ensure the MBI on the OASIS and claim match.
• The admission period has started and the NOA and period of care claim(s) processed under the old MBI.
  • Everything processed in the Medicare claims system remains – there is no need to cancel the claim(s) or NOA in order to resubmit under the new MBI. Going forward, all billing on or after the effective date of the new MBI must be submitted under the new MBI. HHAs also must ensure the MBI on the OASIS matches the new MBI billed on all claims.

It is imperative that HHAs verify patient eligibility prior to admission and prior to billing. Submitting the appropriate MBI based on the effective issue date and the dates of service being billed will help avoid claim edits, as well as ensure proper billing and efficient processing.

Posted 5/8/2023