What codes are used to explain why a claim line item was paid differently than billed?

• A. Claim adjustment codes
• B. Payment codes
• C. Service codes
• D. Denial codes

Answer: (A)

Claim adjustment codes explain why a line item on a claim was paid differently than billed. When a payer processes a claim, they may apply contractual allowances, non-covered charges, or patient responsibility, and each adjustment is tied to a code that describes the reason for the difference. These adjustment reasons appear on the remittance advice or Explanation of Benefits, often as adjustment reason codes (CARCs) and related amounts. Other codes focus on the service provided (service codes) or on why a claim or line item was denied (denial codes), rather than detailing how the payment amount was adjusted.