If a clean claim is received on March 1, what is the latest allowable payment date to meet Medicare compliance requirements?

If a clean claim is received on March 1, what is the latest allowable payment date to meet Medicare compliance requirements?

• A. March 30
• B. March 15
• C. March 31
• D. March 29

Answer: (A)

The essential concept is timely payment: Medicare expects clean claims to be paid within 30 days of receipt. If a claim is received on March 1, you count that day as day one, and the 30th day falls on March 30. Therefore, March 30 is the latest date to meet the requirement. Paying on March 31 would exceed the 30-day window. (This assumes the 30 days are counted in calendar days.)

The essential concept is timely payment: Medicare expects clean claims to be paid within 30 days of receipt. If a claim is received on March 1, you count that day as day one, and the 30th day falls on March 30. Therefore, March 30 is the latest date to meet the requirement. Paying on March 31 would exceed the 30-day window. (This assumes the 30 days are counted in calendar days.)