In a Type of Bill code, which digit defines the frequency of the bill within an episode?

In a Type of Bill code, which digit defines the frequency of the bill within an episode?

• A. The first digit
• B. The second digit
• C. The third digit
• D. The fourth digit

Answer: (D)

The last digit of the Type of Bill code carries the frequency within an episode. The Type of Bill is a four-digit field on UB-04 claims, where the earlier digits establish the billing context (such as facility and general claim type), and the final digit specifically indicates how many times this episode has been billed—whether this is the initial submission, an interim update, or the final bill for that episode. This separation lets payers track multiple bills for the same episode without confusion. The preceding digits set the billing context, not the frequency, so they don’t convey how often the episode is billed.

The last digit of the Type of Bill code carries the frequency within an episode. The Type of Bill is a four-digit field on UB-04 claims, where the earlier digits establish the billing context (such as facility and general claim type), and the final digit specifically indicates how many times this episode has been billed—whether this is the initial submission, an interim update, or the final bill for that episode. This separation lets payers track multiple bills for the same episode without confusion. The preceding digits set the billing context, not the frequency, so they don’t convey how often the episode is billed.