UB04 Admission Hour Code 14: 02:00 PM - 02:59 PM

Overview

Code 14 on the UB-04 claim form represents the admission hour of 02:00 PM to 02:59 PM. It is entered in Field 13 (Admission/Start of Care Date), which is required only on inpatient bills ^[1]. The admission hour code uses military time (00–23), where code 00 equals 12:00 AM (midnight) and each subsequent code advances by one hour ^[1]. Therefore, code 14 corresponds to the 14th hour of the day, i.e., 2:00 PM through 2:59 PM. Field 13 also requires the calendar date of admission (e.g., MM/DD/YYYY) followed by the two‑digit hour code ^[1]. The UB‑04 form is used by institutional providers for billing, and MassHealth providers must follow the same form‑completion rules when submitting claims ^[2]. Proper use of admission hour codes ensures accurate length‑of‑stay calculations and audit‑ready records.

When to Use

Use Code 14 when the patient’s admission or start‑of‑care time falls between 2:00 PM and 2:59 PM, inclusive ^[1]. The hour code applies only to inpatient admissions; outpatient claims typically do not require an admission hour on Field 13 ^[1]. For example, if a patient is admitted to the hospital at 2:30 PM on an inpatient basis, the provider must enter the admission date and then 14 as the hour code ^[1]. The code is also used in certain post‑acute care settings (e.g., skilled nursing facilities) that report admission/start of care on the UB‑04. MassHealth providers submitting paper or electronic UB‑04 claims must comply with the same hourly definitions ^[2]. Always round down to the hour in which the admission occurs (do not round up to the next hour) because the code represents the entire 60‑minute block ^[1].

Step-by-Step Claim Example

Scenario: A patient is admitted for inpatient care on January 15, 2025, at 2:25 PM.

1. Locate Field 13 on the UB‑04 form – it is labeled “Admission/Start of Care Date” ^[1].
2. Enter the admission date in the date portion of the field using a standard 6‑digit format: 01 15 25 (MM DD YY) or as specified by the payer ^[1].
3. Enter the admission hour code as 14 (two digits) immediately after or below the date, depending on the form layout ^[1].
4. Result in Field 13: 01 15 25 14 (date + hour code) ^[1].
5. Complete remaining fields as usual (e.g., FL6 Bill Classification, FL17 Admission Type) ^[2].
6. Submit the claim electronically or on paper according to payer rules (MassHealth requires electronic submission unless an exemption is granted) ^[2].

This example ensures the admission hour is accurately captured for DRG assignment, length‑of‑stay calculation, and audit compliance.

Common Mistakes & Audit Red Flags

• Using 12‑hour clock instead of military time: Some billers mistakenly enter 02 (2:00 AM) instead of 14 for 2:00 PM. Always use the 24‑hour scale (00–23) ^[1].
• Omitting the hour code entirely: Field 13 must contain both a date and a two‑digit hour code for inpatient claims. Missing the hour code can cause claim rejection or delay ^[1].
• Rounding to the nearest hour: For example, admitting a patient at 2:55 PM and coding 15 (3:00 PM) is incorrect. The code represents the hour in which the admission started, not the next full hour ^[1].
• Using code 14 for outpatient visits: Field 13 hour codes are required only on inpatient bills; using them on outpatient claims may cause data inconsistencies or payor denials ^[1].
• Inconsistent electronic submission: MassHealth requires all claims to be submitted electronically unless the provider has an approved exemption ^[2]. Even on electronic claims, the hour code must be transmitted correctly in the equivalent loop/element.

Auditors look for mismatches between the admission hour code and clinical documentation (e.g., a nursing note noting admission at 2:10 PM but code 13 or 15 on the claim). Maintain accurate log times to support the code ^[1].

Related Codes/Fields

Field / Code	Description	Source
FL13 – Admission Date	Calendar date of inpatient admission (MM/DD/YY or other format)	[1]
FL13 – Hour Code	Two‑digit hour in military time (00–23); Code 14 = 2:00 PM – 2:59 PM	[1]
Code 00	12:00 AM (midnight) – 12:59 AM	[1]
Code 01	1:00 AM – 1:59 AM	[1]
Code 23	11:00 PM – 11:59 PM	[1]
FL38 – Discharge Hour	Hour of discharge (also uses 00–23 code set)	Not discussed in provided sources; included for context only.
UB‑04 Form Layout	Field definitions and billing instructions for institutional claims	[2]

Note: The table above reflects only codes and fields explicitly mentioned in the provided sources. For complete code sets, refer to the full CMS transmittal and payer‑specific billing guides.

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References

[1] CMS R1915CP — https://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Guidance/Transmittals/downloads/R1915CP.pdf

[2] MassHealth UB-04 Guide — https://www.mass.gov/doc/ub-04-billing-guide-0/download