Claim Frequency Type Code 8 - Void/Cancel Claim

Claim Frequency Type Code 8 identifies a void or cancellation of a prior claim. It is generally used when a previously adjudicated claim should be canceled rather than replaced with corrected information.

A void claim tells the payer that the prior claim should no longer remain processed as submitted. This is different from Claim Frequency Type Code 7, which replaces a prior claim with corrected claim information.

Using Claim Frequency Type Code 8 correctly requires the payer to identify the prior claim being canceled. The void submission therefore commonly includes the payer's original claim reference or claim control number.

What Does Claim Frequency Type Code 8 Mean?

A void claim is intended to cancel a claim that the payer previously processed. Unlike a replacement claim, the purpose of the void is not to provide corrected claim information that should take the place of the prior claim.

Claim Frequency Type Code 8 communicates that the payer should identify the referenced prior claim and process the submission as a cancellation.

When Should Claim Frequency Type Code 8 Be Used?

Code 8 may be appropriate when a previously adjudicated claim should be canceled rather than corrected and replaced.

Examples may include situations where:

• a claim was submitted for services that should not have been billed
• the wrong patient or subscriber was billed and the prior claim needs to be canceled
• a claim was submitted under circumstances that require the original claim to be withdrawn
• the provider determines that the prior claim should no longer remain on file as submitted
• the payer specifically instructs the provider to void the previously processed claim

The exact situations in which a payer requires a void can vary. Before submitting Code 8, verify that the payer's current instructions call for cancellation of the prior claim rather than replacement, adjustment, reconsideration or another process.

The Prior Claim Must Generally Have Been Processed

As with a replacement claim, one of the first questions to ask before using Claim Frequency Type Code 8 is what happened to the earlier submission.

If the payer already adjudicated the claim and that claim now needs to be canceled, a void/cancel claim (8) may be appropriate.

If the previous submission was rejected before it successfully entered or completed adjudication, there may be no adjudicated claim to void. In that situation, the rejection is generally corrected and the claim is resubmitted as an original claim (1).

Note: This table provides a general distinction. Payer-specific claim correction and void procedures should always be reviewed before submission.

Claim Frequency Type Code 7 vs. Code 8

The difference between Claim Frequency Type Codes 7 and 8 comes down to what should happen to the previously adjudicated claim.

When Should You Not Use Claim Frequency Type Code 8?

Claim Frequency Type Code 8 should not automatically be used whenever a problem is discovered with a claim.

What Information Is Needed With Claim Frequency Type Code 8?

Claim Frequency Type Code 8 tells the payer that the submission is a void or cancellation, but the payer also needs to know which prior claim should be canceled.

A void submission therefore commonly includes:

• Claim Frequency Type Code 8 – identifies the submission as a void/cancel of a prior claim;
• Payer Claim Control Number / Original Reference Number – identifies the prior claim in the payer's system; and
• Claim information required by the payer – allows the payer to process the void request and associate it with the appropriate prior claim.

Where Can You Find the Payer Claim Control Number?

The payer claim control number may be available on information returned after the original claim was processed. Depending on the payer and workflow, it may appear on an electronic remittance, explanation of payment, payer portal or another claim-status or payment record.

Before submitting a void, verify that the identifier being reported is the payer's claim number for the specific claim being canceled.

Claim Frequency Type Code 8 on the HCFA-1500 Form

For professional claims submitted on the HCFA-1500/CMS-1500 form, void claim information is reported in Box 22 - Resubmission Code and Original Reference Number.

Claim Frequency Type Code 8 on an Electronic 837P Claim

For an electronic professional claim, Claim Frequency Type Code 8 is reported as part of the claim information in the 837P transaction. The payer claim control number is also transmitted so the void can be associated with the prior claim.

At a high level, the electronic claim includes:

• Claim Frequency Type Code 8 in the claim information; and
• Payer Claim Control Number identifying the prior claim to be canceled.

This article focuses on the billing use of Code 8 rather than the technical structure of the X12 transaction. For the specific 837P locations and a sample mapping, see our HCFA-1500 Box 22 guide.

Does a Void Claim Replace the Prior Claim?

No. The purpose of a void claim is to cancel the prior claim. It does not, by itself, provide corrected claim information intended to replace that claim.

This is why determining the desired outcome is so important:

Can You Void a Claim and Then Submit a New Claim?

In some situations, a payer may instruct the provider to void a prior claim and then submit another claim with the correct information. In other situations, the payer may instead require a single replacement claim using Claim Frequency Type Code 7.

These workflows can vary by payer and by the type of correction being made. A provider should not assume that a void followed by a new original claim is interchangeable with a replacement claim.

What Happens After a Claim Is Voided?

A successful void instructs the payer to cancel the referenced prior claim. The financial and claim-status effects of that cancellation depend on how the payer previously processed the claim.

If the prior claim resulted in payment, voiding it may result in an adjustment, recovery, recoupment or other payer-defined financial action. The exact process can vary considerably by payer and program.

For that reason, providers should review subsequent remittance or payer responses to verify that the void was accepted and determine whether any additional action is required.

Void Claim Examples

The following examples illustrate common situations where determining the desired outcome helps identify whether Code 8 is appropriate.

Common Claim Frequency Type Code 8 Mistakes

Void claims can create significant processing issues when the wrong prior claim is referenced or when a void is used instead of another claim correction process.

Replacement Claim vs. Void Claim

The easiest way to distinguish Claim Frequency Type Codes 7 and 8 is to ask what should happen to the prior adjudicated claim.

If it should remain but its information needs correction, review whether a replacement claim (7) is appropriate. If the prior claim itself should be canceled, review whether a void/cancel claim (8) is appropriate.

How Void Claims Fit Into the Claim Lifecycle

A void is one possible action after an original claim has been submitted. The appropriate next step depends on whether the prior submission was rejected, adjudicated and needs correction, adjudicated and needs cancellation, or is being disputed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Important: Void and cancellation requirements can vary by payer and program. The information in this guide provides a general overview and should be used together with the payer's current billing and claim submission requirements.

For technical requirements related to electronic professional claim submissions using the X12 837P transaction, refer to the official implementation guides published by X12.