This is a setting in the service text window for items on Eclipse claims. It refers to Not Normal After Care.  Occasionally clients use this flag when claiming for a postoperative anaesthetic consultation item, such as 17640.

 

The explanatory notes on Aftercare in the Medicare book are at this link.

 

Basically it says that any consultations in the period after an operation are deemed to be standard post-operative aftercare and as such are included in the fee for the operation and should not be charged for separately. It is not necessarily treatment by the surgeon, so may be interpreted as anaesthetic consultations as well. This suggests that Medicare could reject claims for postoperative consultations by anaesthetists on the basis that they constitute standard aftercare.

 

Since it doesn't specifically refer to anaesthetists, it could be open to interpretation, by the doctor, and by Medicare. From a technical point of view, using the NNAC flag tells Medicare that the consult was not part of the standard aftercare. Consequently, using the flag may assist to get the item paid. However, we can't advise on whether or not it is appropriate to claim that the consult was or was not part of the standard aftercare. The explanatory notes give Medicare cause to treat the consult as normal aftercare, and therefore not payable, but it is clearly open to interpretation.