Which of the following is a reason a claim would be denied?

• A. Incorrectly linked codes
• B. Missing patient insurance number
• C. CPT code not supported by payer
• D. Missing provider NPI

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that codes must be connected accurately to show what was done and why it was medically necessary. When codes are linked incorrectly, the payer can’t verify that the procedure performed matches the diagnosis and the medical record, so payment is denied. This kind of mismatch — for example, billing a procedure with a diagnosis that doesn’t justify it or pairing codes that don’t align with the payer’s rules — directly signals an error in how the claim is coded and adjudicated.

Administrative issues like a missing patient insurance number or a missing provider NPI are clerical problems that often cause a claim to be rejected or returned as incomplete before payment processing. A CPT code not supported by the payer is also a denial reason, but it depends on payer policies; the incorrect linking of codes is a fundamental error that frequently triggers a denial because it undermines the claim’s validity and medical necessity.