N151Remark Code (RARC)Active
N151 Remark Code - Face-to-Face Contact Requirement
The N151 remark code indicates that payment for telephone contact services is contingent upon meeting the face-to-face contact requirement. This means that the payer will not reimburse for the telephone services until the necessary in-person visit has occurred.
How It Relates to the Denial
The N151 remark typically accompanies a Claim Adjustment Reason Code that indicates a denial or adjustment related to telephone services. Together, they signal that the services billed are not eligible for payment due to unmet conditions regarding face-to-face interactions.
Common Scenarios
1A provider billed for a telehealth consultation and also a follow-up telephone call, but the remittance shows a denial for the call due to N151.
→ This indicates that the payer expects a face-to-face visit to take place before any reimbursement for the telephone follow-up can be processed.
2A claim for telephone counseling services is submitted, but the remittance response includes N151 alongside a denial for payment.
→ This remark suggests that the payer requires verification of a prior face-to-face consultation before considering any payment for the telephone counseling.
3After billing for a series of telephone contacts, a provider receives an adjustment with N151 noted, indicating a denial of payment.
→ The remark points out that the provider must first fulfill the face-to-face contact requirement for those services to be eligible for payment.
What to Do
- Confirm that the face-to-face contact requirement has been met prior to resubmitting the claim for telephone services.
- If applicable, provide documentation of the in-person visit to support the claim for telephone contact services.
- Review the original claim to ensure that services billed are compliant with payer requirements regarding face-to-face interactions.
What to Check
- The claim documentation to verify if a face-to-face visit was performed prior to the billed telephone services.
- The payer's policy or guidelines regarding face-to-face contact requirements for telephone services.
- The original claim submission to confirm all billed services align with the payer's coverage criteria.