Summary
This article explains how to read Bulk Search results, understand match strength, and resolve flagged issues.
Read the results
Click on a completed upload to see the results for each searched subject.
- Use the status tabs to narrow the results and the free-text filter to find a subject.
You can review each result by the following status and corresponding tabs.
| Status | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Issue Found | An identifier-verified problem was found, such as an exclusion, Medicare opt-out, SSDMF hit, or invalid or deactivated NPI. |
| Suspected Issue | A potential name-only or organization-name match requires human review. |
| No Issue Found | Every applicable source included in your organization's plan returned clear results. |
| Search Failed | The row did not complete after all retries. Re-upload the failed rows in a new file. |
| Processing | The row is still queued or being searched. |
Open the Result
Expand a row to review the result for that subject.
A row searched using multiple identifiers has one aggregate result across all applicable products.
- Match cards: Findings are grouped by results, with identifier matches first, followed by name-only and organization-name matches.
- NPPES profile: Available for rows containing an NPI.
- SSDMF: Available when a TIN was submitted and your organization has the applicable product.
- Cleared: Shows the sources that were checked and returned no finding.
Duplicate exclusion hits are collapsed. If the same record is found through both an NPI search and a name search, it appears once on the subject row.
Understand match strength
Match strength describes how much evidence connects a returned record to the submitted row. It helps prioritize review; it does not make the review decision.
| Match strength | Evidence | Typical interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| NPI match | The matched record has the same NPI submitted in the row. | Strong identifier evidence; verify the record details and resolve appropriately. |
| TIN match | The SSDMF record matches the submitted TIN or SSN. | Strong identifier evidence because the identifier is the match key. |
| Name-only match | The record name exactly matches the submitted name, without identifier corroboration. | Softer evidence; compare available demographic and professional details. |
| Organization name match | The organization name exactly matches the submitted organization name, without identifier corroboration. | Softer evidence; confirm that the organization is the same entity. |
| Possible match | The search returned a similar or partial name, but neither an identifier nor an exact name matches. | Softest evidence; investigate carefully before resolving. |
There are styling methods used for results to indicate a strong match versus a softer match.
A strong match gets a red pill and a red stripe down the card's edge; softer matches get a neutral grey pill. Discriminators like date of birth, address, and license number on the card are there to help you rule a soft match in or out.
| |
|---|---|
| The two softer tiers side by side. An exact name match ("Name-only match") above a similar-name hit ("Possible match") — both open as Needs Review. | A strong match. The record carries the submitted NPI, so the pill, stripe, and NPI render red — and it still opens as Needs Review. |
Every match opens as Needs Review, including strong NPI and TIN matches. Match strength supports your assessment but never waives review.
Use the evidence to make a decision
Review the identity details shown on the match card. For softer matches, use available discriminators such as date of birth, address, license number, organization details, and identifiers to determine whether the record belongs to the searched subject.
- Confirm the submitted identifiers and the matched record’s identifiers.
- Compare names, organization details, and other available identity information.
- Check source dates and record status.
- Consider whether the evidence represents the same subject or a different person or organization.
- Record a concise explanation in the review note.
Review and resolve matches
Each match has its own review status and history. The subject row summarizes the status of its matches, for example, “2 to review,” “1 of 8 resolved,” or “Resolved.”
- Needs Review: The status label for all new results. The match has not yet been assessed.
- Under Review: A reviewer is actively assessing the evidence.
- Resolved: The review decision has been recorded.
Please note: selecting a status will save the update. Include a note before choosing a status.
Add a review note
Use the optional review note to capture the rationale for the decision. Notes can contain up to 3,500 characters. Write enough detail for another specialist to understand what was checked and why the match was resolved.
- All notes and status changes are automatically timestamped and recorded for audit purposes.
- Once entered, notes and statuses cannot be edited or deleted.
- All updates are reflected in PT App's reporting features, so your organization has a traceable and compliant record of its alert review process.
Best Practices
- State whether the record belongs to the searched subject.
- Reference the strongest confirming or disconfirming evidence.
- Document any follow-up or limitation that affects the decision.
Review history
The review trail records who made each change, when it occurred, the status selected, and the review note. Review history follows the subject across searches within your organization, including earlier Bulk Search jobs and single searches. Previous adjudications may therefore appear automatically on a new result.
If a prior review already addresses the same subject and evidence, use it as context and confirm that the current result has not introduced materially different information.
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