CARC 13: Date of Death Precedes Date of Service

What it means

The payer's records show the patient died before the date of service billed on this claim, so the claim was denied. This is usually a data or date entry problem rather than a true billing error.

Common causes

Incorrect date of service entered on the claim (typo or wrong format, e.g., MM/DD vs DD/MM)
Payer's system has an inaccurate or outdated date of death on file for the patient
Patient identity mismatch (claim matched to wrong patient record with same/similar name or ID)
Service was actually provided after death was reported but before payer records were updated (rare administrative lag)
Coding or clearinghouse transmission error that altered the date field

How to fix it

Verify the date of service on the claim against the medical record and correct any data entry errors
Confirm the patient's identity (name, DOB, member ID) to rule out a mismatch with another patient's record
Check the payer's eligibility system or contact the payer to confirm the date of death they have on file
If the date of service is correct and the payer's date of death is wrong, submit documentation (medical records, provider notes) supporting the actual service date and request correction of the payer's records
Resubmit or appeal the claim with corrected information once the discrepancy is resolved
If billing on behalf of an estate or after a patient's death for legitimately rendered pre-death services, confirm the correct date of death with the family or vital records and correct accordingly

Appeal / resubmit

Include supporting documentation such as the medical record showing the actual date of service, a copy of the appointment/encounter record, and if applicable, a death certificate or vital records excerpt showing the correct date of death. Clearly state in the appeal letter that the payer's date of death on file appears inaccurate or that a patient identity mismatch occurred, and request the record be corrected before reprocessing.

Related codes

Frequently asked

Does this mean my claim will never be paid?

Not necessarily. If the denial is due to a data error, such as an incorrect date of service or a mismatched patient record, correcting the information and resubmitting or appealing may resolve the issue.

What if the patient really did pass away before the service date?

If the date of death is accurate and truly precedes the service date, the claim may not be payable as billed, and you should review whether the service was actually rendered, billed under the wrong patient, or requires a different billing approach.

Who do I contact to fix an incorrect date of death on file with the payer?

Contact the payer's provider services line to report the discrepancy and ask what documentation they require to update their records.

More free billing tools: all denial codes · denial lookup · Medicare fee calculator

This content is informational only and does not constitute billing or legal advice. It does not guarantee any specific claim outcome or reimbursement.