ERA Takeback/Refund/Reversal

ERA Takeback/Refund/Reversal

Post as Remitted vs. Using the Takeback Process

Using Post as Remitted on the ERA completes a Takeback exactly as the Remit dictates in the ERA.

In some cases, the Manual Post button will be used to do the Takeback when the ERA does not calculate correctly.

Example:  

  • You did not post the original claim exactly as Remitted (for example you used Post as a Note).
  • The insurance adjudicates the Takeback differently than the claim was originally paid. 

Auto-Post ERA Takeback

Conditions for Auto-Posting

An ERA Refund/Takeback will auto-post if it meets certain conditions. It is based on how the previous posting was done.

These conditions must be met:

  • If the Refund/Takeback is in the body of the Remit.
  • The Insurance on the Refund/Takeback is the same as the Insurance where the Payment was originally posted.
  • Even if the Insurance Profile has changed since the Payment was posted to the previous Insurance Profile, it will Post to the previous Insurance as long as the Insurance is the same.
  • If the Procedure Code, CARC, and Amount are the same as the previously posted Payment on the same Insurance.


Conditions that Prevent the ERA Refund/Takeback from Auto-Posting

Conditions that prevent the ERA Refund/Takeback from auto-posting:

  • If the previous posting was Posted as a Note.
  • If the previous Payment was not posted at all.
  • If the previous Payment was posted to a different Insurance than the one on the Remit that contains the Refund/Takeback.
  • If the Procedure Code, CARCs, and/or Amount are different than what was posted on the original Payment.
  • If the Refund/Takeback is at the bottom of the Remit in the Provider Level Adjustment Details and not in the body of the Remit.
  • It is a Partial Refund/Takeback.

Post as Remitted

Use Post as Remitted to Apply the ERA
  1. On the ERA Remits Items screen, select the Remit number of the Reversal.

  1. From the Manage Electronic Remittance Item page, select Post as Remitted from the Claim Action dropdown. The auto-generated Receipt is for a negative amount.
  2. View the After Posting balance. The balance should be the original Charge Amount after the Reversal is done. If it is not posting as expected, use the Manual Posting button.
  3. Change Remit Status/Worklist: The Status will change to Posted [P] automatically.
  • To send the ERA Remit to a Worklist, choose Custom Worklist from the dropdown.
  • Choose the Custom Worklist from the dropdown.
  1. Add an applicable Note that will be viewable on the Worklist and Save as a Billing Note for the note to be viewable on the Encounter.
  2. Select Save [F2].

Manually Post an ERA Refund/Takeback

Use Manual Post Button to Post a Refund/Takeback

When a Takeback will not post correctly or has already posted incorrectly, typically, the Claim Action, Post as Remitted, process fixes the error. However, there are times when the Takeback will need to be posted using the Manual Post button on the Manage Electronic Remittance Item screen. If the Takeback has already been posted incorrectly, Unapply the posted transaction(s) to make it available for re-posting.


  1. On the Manage Electronic Remittance Item screen, select the Manual Post button.

  1. The Patient will auto-populate. Tab out of the Patient field.
  2. Select the Takeback button.
  3. Select the checkbox(es) next to the line item(s) for the Date of Service to Refund.
  4. Select Save [F2].

The ERA Remit is a Zero Dollar Payment

Payment is in the Body of the Remit and a Takeback is at the Bottom

If the Remit has a Zero Dollar Payment, but it has Payments in the body of the Remit, there are probably Takebacks at the bottom of the Remit, which results in a Provider Level Adjustment.

  • If the Payments in the body of the Remit equals the Takebacks at the bottom, apply the Payments as usual and use Add a New Receipt to manually post the Takebacks.
  • When finished posting, the amount posted should be zero because of the offset of the Takebacks.
  • Learn More: Post a Zero ERA Payment with a Takeback; Provider Level Adjustments


Payment and Takeback are in the Body of the Remit

The Remit has a Payment and a Reversal in the Body of the Remit, and the Remit amount is zero.

  • Example:


Old System Reversals/Takebacks

Reversal/Takeback is in the Body of the Remit

Legacy (Old) PM System Takeback is in the body of the Remit along with ERA Transactions for the New System.


  • Apply the ERA as usual.
  • The Encounter Number is zero (0).
  • The Claim Type is Reversal of Previous Payment.
  • The Status is "O".



Reversal/Takeback is Not in the Body of the Remit

This Takeback is listed toward the bottom of the Remit and is not in the Body.

  • The Identifier is not a System Patient ID/Encounter #.
  • A System Account Number is the Patient ID# plus an "E" plus the Encounter #. (12345E2589)


  1. Enter a negative amount for the Received dollar amount listed.
  2. Enter an O in the Disbursed Field.
  3. Enter a Note to Identify the reason for attaching a new receipt (optional).
  4. Select Save [F2].


AlertThese Takebacks will need to be posted in your Legacy PM.
Manually Posted EOB Takeback from Legacy PM

A Legacy PM Takeback that is being used to pay an Encounter in the new System, and there is still access to the Legacy PM

  • Create a Receipt for the full amount of the Payment in the new System.

    • This is the check amount plus the Takeback (coming from the Legacy PM).

  • Use the Receipt to post the Payment in the new PM.

  • Post the Takeback in the Legacy PM.

  • Make a note of the situation in both Systems.

    • If someone looks at this, they will know exactly what happened.

Recommendations for Posting Old Legacy PM Reversals/Takebacks
If the Patient exists in the new System, and there is no plan to resubmit the Claim:
  1. Enter a Zero dollar Charge on the Patient in the new System.
  2. Using Post Expert to:
    1. Post the Takeback to the Zero dollar Charge
    2. Post a Write-off using a Custom Transaction Code
If the Patient exists, and you plan to appeal it:
  1. Enter the Charge in the new PM,
  2. Post the Takeback/Reversal against the Charge.
  3. Resubmit.
Create a "Slush" Patient Account
  1. Enter a Zero Charge.
  2. Using Post Expert to:
    1. Post the Takeback/Reversal
    2. Post a Write-off using a Custom Transaction Code
If you do not care how Legacy Takebacks/Reversals affects Reporting in the new System (Not Recommended)
  1. Enter a Zero Charge
  2. Use Post Expert to:
    1. Post the Takeback/Reversal
  3. Disburse the Balance.
OR
  1. Enter the Receipt Amount that you need to post the Payments (will not be the check amount)
    1. Check Amount plus the Legacy PM Takeback added to it
    2. On Reports, this will show money that was not actually received (NOT RECOMMENDED)

Learn More

Insurance Takebacks/Reversals Overview

Full Insurance Refunds & Takebacks Posted Manually

Partial Insurance Takebacks/Refunds

Future Takeback Notifications or Interest on the Remit

Takeback or Refund No Longer on an Active Profile

ERA Takeback Posted Incorrectly

Takeback on Charge (Encounter) Created in Error


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