What is a common UB-04 data error?

• A. Missing or invalid dates of service or missing required fields leading to denials
• B. Correct patient age
• C. Correct DRG assignment
• D. Accurate revenue codes

Answer: (A)

When submitting a UB-04 claim, the data must be complete and accurate for the claim to be adjudicated. A common data error is missing or invalid dates of service, along with any required fields left blank. Payers rely on dates to define the service period and to tie charges to the correct encounter; if these fields are missing or nonsensical, the claim can’t be processed and is often denied or sent back for correction. Other data points like patient age, DRG assignment, or revenue codes are expected to be correct on a proper submission, so they’re not as typically problematic as missing or invalid dates and required fields.