Why This Happens
Insurance payers control what data they release through electronic verification systems. Common reasons for NULL values include:
Payer Policy Restrictions: Some insurance carriers explicitly restrict the accumulation of information from being shared electronically
Third-Party Administration: When benefits are managed by a separate entity, the primary payer may redirect you to that administrator
Real-Time Data Limitations: Accumulation amounts may change as claims are processed so that payers may require manual verification for accuracy
⚠️ Important: NULL values indicate no data is being returned from the payer, not a system issue with Dazos.
Identifying the Cause
Look for these indicators in your VOB response:
Benefit Disclaimer Messages: Text stating "ACCUMULATED AMOUNTS SUCH AS DEDUCTIBLE MAY CHANGE AS ADDITIONAL CLAIMS ARE PROCESSED"
Contact Instructions: Payer responses that include phone numbers or direct contact information
Third-Party References: Messages directing you to contact a specific administrator or entity
Solutions
When you encounter NULL values for accumulation data, try these approaches:
1. Contact the Insurance Carrier Directly
Use the phone number provided in the payer response to verify benefits manually. Most VOB responses include the carrier's customer service number.
2. Contact Third-Party Administrators
If the VOB response identifies a third-party administrator (like "TZ HERITAGE CONSULTANTS, INC." in the example), contact that entity directly using the phone number provided in the response.
3. Review Payer Disclaimers
Pay attention to disclaimer messages in the VOB response, as these often explain why certain information is unavailable electronically.
What This Doesn't Mean
Blank or NULL values in VOB results do not indicate:
A bug or malfunction in the Dazos system
An issue with the clearinghouse connection
Missing or incorrect insurance information
A problem that can be fixed by re-running the VOB
When to Contact Support
Contact Dazos Support if:
You believe the payer should be providing data but consistently receive NULL values
You need help interpreting payer response messages
You want to escalate a specific case to the clearinghouse for review
💡 Tip: When contacting support, provide the VOB ID and patient name so we can review the specific payer response and advise on next steps.
Related Resources
VOB submission best practices
How to interpret VOB response messages
Troubleshooting VOB workflow issues