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Important things to know about Part B Appeals
Last Modified: 12/9/2022
Location: FL, PR, USVI
Business: Part B
Q1: I have a claim that was returned as an unprocessable claim (RUC). What does that mean?
A1: A claim is generally RUC'd for incomplete or invalid information. This means an initial determination could not be made on that claim.
Q2: Can I submit an appeal on a claim that was RUC'd?
A2: In order to appeal a claim decision, there must have been an initial claim determination. Because an unprocessable claim is incomplete, and does not constitute an initial claim determination, Medicare providers cannot appeal an unprocessable claim. An unprocessable claim should be corrected and resubmitted as a new claim.
Q3: Is an appeal and a redetermination the same thing?
A3: An appeal is the process used when a beneficiary, provider, or supplier disagrees with a decision to deny or stop payment for health care items or services, or a decision denying an individual's enrollment in the Medicare program. A redetermination is an independent re-examination of an initial claim determination; a request to review a claim when there is dissatisfaction with the original determination.
There are five levels in the claims appeals process under Medicare:
• Level 1: Redetermination
• Level 2: Reconsideration
• Level 3: Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)
• Level 4: Appeals Council
• Level 5: Judicial Review
Q4: Do I have to submit an appeal using the redetermination form on the website?
A4: For Part B, the website provides a redetermination/reopening form.
• First level: Request for redetermination of a Part B claim
However, the redetermination request does not have to be submitted on the form, but must contain the following:
• Beneficiary name
• Medicare ID number of the patient
• Specific service(s) and/or item(s) for which the redetermination is being requested
• Specific date(s) of the service
• Dates must be reported in a manner consistent with the Medicare claims filing instructions; ranges of dates are acceptable only if a range of dates is properly reportable on the Medicare claim form.
• Name and address of the provider/supplier of service
Q5: I submitted a redetermination on my claim and I have not heard anything yet. Should I submit a new claim?
A5: The
Interactive Voice Response (IVR) system can give you the status of your appeal. The IVR is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week except for regularly scheduled maintenance. However, specific claim and/or eligibility information is available during the following times with the exception of holidays:
• Monday-Friday 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., ET
• Saturday 6 a.m. to 3 p.m., ET
If your appeal is on file, please do not submit a new claim. This could result in the dismissal of your redetermination request.
Q6: How long should I wait before I hear something on my appeal?
A6: CMS allows contactors 60 calendar days from the date of the appeal receipt to make a decision on a redetermination.
Q7: My claim had multiple services that were denied under the same Internal Control Number (ICN). Should I submit separate requests for each service?
A7: If all of the services were denied under the same ICN, you should submit them all in one redetermination request. However, if the services were processed under multiple ICNs, they should be submitted in separate requests.
Q8: What is a Medicare overpayment?
A8: A Medicare overpayment is a payment that you received in excess of amounts properly payable under Medicare statutes and regulations. When Medicare discovers an overpayment of $10 or more, the Medicare administrative contractor (MAC) initiates the overpayment recovery process by sending an initial demand letter requesting repayment. The second and third demand letters are mailed 30 days after the most recent demand letter.
Q9: I have received an overpayment letter and I want to submit an appeal. What should I do?
A9: Requesting a redetermination to appeal the overpayment is one of several options for responding to the initial demand letter. If you disagree with an overpayment decision, you can file an appeal with your MAC to conduct an independent review of the decision. For Medicare Part A, First Coast Service Options (First Coast) provides an option for overpayment appeals on the Request for Redetermination/Reopening form.
Q10: Do I have to submit the payment with my overpayment appeal?
A10: Refunds and overpayment appeals are not processed within the same department. To prevent delay of either, you should not submit them together.
Q11: My letter says that the overpayment will be automatically recouped if payment is not received within 40 days but I am submitting an appeal. Will the recoupment still take place?
A11: When a valid overpayment appeal is received, Medicare will not begin overpayment collection of debts (or will cease collections that have started) in the following circumstances:
• If limitation of recoupment provisions apply, or
• When Medicare receives notice the provider has requested a Medicare contractor redetermination (first level of appeal) or a reconsideration by a Qualified Independent Contractor (QIC)
Source: MLN® Matters article
MM6183 
Q12: If my overpayment appeal involves multiple claims and/or beneficiaries, should I submit them separately, or all together?
A12: If you are appealing all of the claims included in one overpayment letter, you should submit one redetermination request and indicate the letter number in your appeal. If your claims are included in separate letters, then you should group them together by the letter and submit them that way.
Q13: What is the difference between a reopening and an appeal?
A13: An appeal is the process used when a beneficiary, provider, or supplier disagrees with a decision to deny or stop payment for health care items or services, or a decision denying an individual's enrollment in the Medicare program.
Section 937 of the Medicare Modernization Act required CMS to establish a reopening process, distinct from the appeals process, whereby providers, physicians and suppliers could correct minor errors or omissions. Clerical errors or minor errors are limited to errors in form and content, and that omissions do not include failure to bill for certain items or services. A contractor shall not grant a reopening to add items or services that were not previously billed, with the exception of a few limited items that cannot be filed on a claim alone (e.g., G0369, G0370, G0371 and G0374). Reopenings are only allowed after normal timely filing period has expired. A reopening will not be granted if an appeal decision is pending or in process.
Q14: How do I request a reopening?
A14: First Coast allows providers to submit reopening requests online through SPOT, the reopening gateway, or via telephone through the IVR system.. For more information on clerical reopening requests, refer to this
helpful article.
Q15: What options are available for using the SPOT?
A15: SPOT has the functionality for providers to submit the following appeals forms through secure messaging:
• Part A/Part B Claim redetermination request -- Level 1 appeal request with supporting documentation
• Part B Claim reopening request -- Clerical reopening with supporting documentation
• Part B MSP overpayment form -- Voluntary refund of an overpayment for an MSP claim with supporting documentation
• Part B Non-MSP overpayment form -- Voluntary refund of an overpayment for a non-MSP claim with supporting documentation
• Part B Overpayment redetermination request -- Appeal of an overpayment decision with supporting documentation
Once the appeal is submitted, they will receive a confirmation number. They may use 'Check Status' under
Secure Messaging to determine if their appeal was successfully uploaded. They may also use the
Confirmation of appeals requests tool to confirm First Coast has received the appeal.
Here are some links to supporting documents and FAQs about SPOT for your reference:
First Coast Service Options (First Coast) strives to ensure that the information available on our provider website is accurate, detailed, and current. Therefore, this is a dynamic site and its content changes daily. It is best to access the site to ensure you have the most current information rather than printing articles or forms that may become obsolete without notice.
with the redeterminations process.
