Which of the following might NOT occur when using an incorrect place of service code?

Using an incorrect place of service code can lead to various negative consequences in the healthcare billing and compliance process. The correct answer indicates that payment being sent to another facility is a scenario that is less likely to occur solely due to the use of an incorrect place of service code.

The primary function of the place of service code is to identify where healthcare services were rendered. If this code is incorrect, the billing process might still direct payments to the same provider through the existing provider number and billing systems. Rather than resulting in payment being sent to an unrelated facility, what more commonly happens is that the service claims are affected in other ways, such as denial of the claim or payment at an inappropriate rate based on the coding.

The other options present scenarios that are more directly correlated with the implications of using an incorrect place of service code. Claim denials are a frequent outcome as insurers rely on accurate codes to determine coverage eligibility. Similarly, if the code does not align with the provided services, it may lead to payment at a rate that does not reflect the nature of the services rendered. Investigations for fraud, while more serious, can also arise when discrepancies in coding do not match provided services over a longer period, signaling potential compliance issues.

Therefore, while incorrect coding