CHAPTER 5.0 - Billing Adjustment Request (BAR) Form

5.3 Carrier Dispute Section

The carrier disputing the charge completes the Carrier Dispute Section. The fields in this section provide BellSouth with the information it needs to route the claim to the correct billing center as well as the information necessary to process the claim.

5.3.1 Field-by-Field Instructions:

Click on the field links below for a detailed description of the fields presented in the Carrier Dispute Section of the BAR, as well as the common errors and resolutions when populating the fields.

Field Number Field Name

1 Date

2 New Dispute (Yes / No)

3A Carrier Claim / Tracking Number

3B Carrier Name

4 Service Type

5 Carrier (IXC) ACNA/CLEC/OCN

6 BAN/Q Account

7 End User Telephone Number (If Q Account)

8 BellSouth Circuit Number(s) BTN (If Q Account)

9 Amount Disputed

10 Recurring Charges

11 Non-Recurring Charges

12 Bill Date/Invoice Date or From & To Dates

13 Amount Withheld from Bill

14 BAN Number(s)/Q Account(s) Short Paid

15 Reason Amount Is In Question

5.3.2 Date

Field Name Date

Field Number 1

Required Field Yes

Field Description The date the dispute is sent to BellSouth.
Field Format: YYYY/MM/DD

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Entering the date in the incorrect format.

Explanation / Resolution:
BellSouth Billing systems process dates in the format YYYYY/MM/DD. Verify the date is correctly formatted before submitting the BAR.

5.3.3 New Dispute (Yes/No)

Field Name New Dispute (Yes/No)

Field Number 2

Required Field Yes

Field Description Specifies whether the dispute is new and has not been previously sent, or if the dispute is a re-send.
Check "Yes" for new dispute, and "No" for a re-send.

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Checking the wrong box.

Explanation / Resolution:
The carrier should verify that the dispute being submitted has not been sent before. If the dispute has been sent previously (and returned due to errors), a tracking number may have been created for that dispute. The tracking number for the dispute should match the number previously sent.

5.3.4 Carrier Claim/Tracking Number

Field Name Carrier Claim/Tracking Number

Field Number 3A

Required Field Yes

Field Description A separate and unique tracking number for each dispute type sent to BellSouth for use by the carrier and BellSouth for identification and tracking purposes.

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Entering one tracking number for multiple dispute types.

Explanation / Resolution:
Only one dispute type may be sent on each BAR Form. If the tracking number represents more than one dispute type the BAR is sent back to the carrier with no further action.

5.3.5 Carrier Name

Field Name Carrier Name

Field Number 3B

Required Field Yes

Field Description Carrier Business Name (Per BellSouth Business Records)

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Entering a Carrier Business Name that is either outdated or has not been updated in the BellSouth Billing Systems.

Explanation / Resolution:
If a Carrier Business Name changes, BellSouth records must be updated. The carrier should use the full Carrier Business Name, without abbreviations, in order for BellSouth to successfully process the dispute.

5.3.6 Service Type

Field Name Service Type

Field Number 4

Required Field Yes

Field Description The service type field is critical to BellSouth, because it determines the service center to which the dispute is routed. The service types are:

Switched Access

Special Access

Interconnection

UNE

PIC-C

Equal Access

Resale

Collocation

LNP

Only one service type may be included on each dispute.

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Entering the incorrect service type for the dispute in question will result in a delay in the processing time for the BAR. If a carrier enters an incorrect service type for the charge in question, the service center reroutes the BAR to the appropriate center. The carrier will be contacted when the rerouting occurs.

Explanation / Resolution:
The carrier should verify the service they are disputing and match that with the appropriate billing center from the Billing and Collection Escalation Matrix.

5.3.7 Carrier (IXC) ACNA/CLEC/OCN

Field Name Carrier (IXC) ACNA/CLEC/OCN

Field Number 5

Required Field Yes

Field Description Determines the Access Customer Name, Competitive Local Exchange Carrier and Operating Company Number for the dispute being sent.

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Entering invalid codes for the ACNA, CLEC and OCN.

Explanation / Resolution:
The ACNA is the three (3) character Access Customer Name abbreviation. The Competitive Local Exchange Carrier should be a recognizable carrier name. The OCN is the four (4) character Operating Company Number.

5.3.8 BAN/Q Account

Field Name BAN/Q Account

Field Number 6

Required Field Yes

Field Description The BAN is the Billing Account Number for Carrier Access Billing System (CABS) billed customers. The Q Account is the Account Number assigned to Customer Records Information System (CRIS) billed customers.

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Leaving this field blank.

Explanation / Resolution:
Leaving this field blank will result in a delayed response from BellSouth because they will not be able to access the bill in question based on a BAN or Q Account number. The carrier should provide the BAN/Q Account that appears on the bill. With this number, the dispute for the charge in question can be accessed in the appropriate billing system in a timely manner.

5.3.9 End User Telephone Number (If Q Account)

Field Name End User Telephone Number (If Q Account)

Field Number 7

Required Field Yes

Field Description Actual End User Telephone or Miscellaneous Account number where the billing dispute appears.

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Entering the carrier Phone Number instead of the End User Phone Number

Explanation / Resolution:
The carrier should verify that the phone number being entered is that of the End User.

5.3.10 BellSouth Circuit Number(s) BTN (If Q Account)

Field Name BellSouth Circuit Number(s) BTN (If Q Account)

Field Number 8

Required Field Yes

Field Description BellSouth Circuit Identification Number assigned by BellSouth where the billing dispute appears (If Applicable).

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
N / A

Explanation / Resolution:
N / A

5.3.11 Amount Disputed

Field Name Amount Disputed

Field Number 9

Required Field Yes

Field Description Amount dispute in U.S. Dollars.
Format: $1,234.56

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Incorrect format.

Explanation / Resolution:
The carrier should verify the format is correct for the amount being disputed.

5.3.12 Recurring Charges

Field Name Recurring Charges

Field Number 10

Required Field No

Field Description If the charge being disputed appears each month as a new line item, then this box should be checked.

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Not checking the box for a recurring charge.

Explanation / Resolution:
The carrier should verify whether the charge is recurring or not. If the charge is recurring and this box is not checked, then any adjustment made to the bill will only be made to the current month bill.

5.3.13 Non-Recurring Charges

Field Name Non-Recurring Charges

Field Number 11

Required Field No

Field Description If the charge does not appear as a new line item each month, then this box should be checked.

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Not checking the box for Non-Recurring charge.

Explanation / Resolution:
If the charge is not recurring, then this box should be checked. Not checking the box could result in delays to the time it takes for processing the claim.

5.3.14 Bill Date/Invoice Date or From & To Dates

Field Name Bill Date/Invoice Date or From & To Dates

Field Number 12

Required Field Yes

Field Description The Bill Date or Invoice Date of the billed item in dispute, or the From and To dates that the charges appear on the bill.
Format: YYYY/MM/DD

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:

Explanation / Resolution:
BellSouth Billing systems process dates in the format YYYY/MM/DD. Verify the date is correctly formatted before submitting the BAR.

5.3.15 Amount Withheld from Bill

Field Name Amount Withheld from Bill

Field Number 13

Required Field No

Field Description If applicable, the amount withheld from the billed invoice as noted in field #14, in U.S. Dollars.
Format: $1,234.56

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Incorrect format.

Explanation / Resolution:
The carrier should verify the format is correct for the amount being disputed.

5.3.16 BAN Number(s)/Q Account(s) Short Paid

Field Name BAN Number(s)/Q Account(s) Short Paid

Field Number 14

Required Field Yes (#)

Field Description Ban # or Q Account number that the amount withheld in "Amount Withheld from Bill" field was withheld on.

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Only one Ban # or Q Account should be entered (See Note)

Explanation / Resolution:
Only one type of dispute can appear per BAR form. If the dispute is a mass dispute, enter the appropriate type and use the mass dispute template to list out the specific information regarding the dispute.

Note:
If Mass Dispute is involved, select the appropriate Dispute Type.

MRC = Monthly Recurring;

OCC = Other Charges & Credits;

USG = Usage;

LPC = Late Payment Charges;

TAX = Taxes

5.3.17 Reason Amount Is In Question

Field Name Reason Amount Is In Question

Field Number 15

Required Field Yes

Field Description Provide as much specific detailed billing information as possible to allow for timely response to your dispute, including specific Tariff and Contract references.

Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field Error:
Not providing enough information.

Explanation / Resolution:
The carrier should provide as much information as possible in this field. For example, Invoice Date(s), Page Number(s), Order #'s, PON #'s, Itemized list of disputed charges (Please do not lump charges together). References as to whether an item should be billed as UNE instead of ACCESS should also appear. An Excel Spreadsheet may be attached to explain the itemized charges or a marked up copy of the bill pages where the disputed charges appear.

Field Number	Field Name
1	Date
2	New Dispute (Yes / No)
3A	Carrier Claim / Tracking Number
3B	Carrier Name
4	Service Type
5	Carrier (IXC) ACNA/CLEC/OCN
6	BAN/Q Account
7	End User Telephone Number (If Q Account)
8	BellSouth Circuit Number(s) BTN (If Q Account)
9	Amount Disputed
10	Recurring Charges
11	Non-Recurring Charges
12	Bill Date/Invoice Date or From & To Dates
13	Amount Withheld from Bill
14	BAN Number(s)/Q Account(s) Short Paid
15	Reason Amount Is In Question

Field Name	Date
Field Number	1
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	The date the dispute is sent to BellSouth. Field Format: YYYY/MM/DD
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Entering the date in the incorrect format.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: BellSouth Billing systems process dates in the format YYYYY/MM/DD. Verify the date is correctly formatted before submitting the BAR.

Field Name	New Dispute (Yes/No)
Field Number	2
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	Specifies whether the dispute is new and has not been previously sent, or if the dispute is a re-send. Check "Yes" for new dispute, and "No" for a re-send.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Checking the wrong box.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: The carrier should verify that the dispute being submitted has not been sent before. If the dispute has been sent previously (and returned due to errors), a tracking number may have been created for that dispute. The tracking number for the dispute should match the number previously sent.

Field Name	Carrier Claim/Tracking Number
Field Number	3A
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	A separate and unique tracking number for each dispute type sent to BellSouth for use by the carrier and BellSouth for identification and tracking purposes.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Entering one tracking number for multiple dispute types.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: Only one dispute type may be sent on each BAR Form. If the tracking number represents more than one dispute type the BAR is sent back to the carrier with no further action.

Field Name	Carrier Name
Field Number	3B
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	Carrier Business Name (Per BellSouth Business Records)
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Entering a Carrier Business Name that is either outdated or has not been updated in the BellSouth Billing Systems.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: If a Carrier Business Name changes, BellSouth records must be updated. The carrier should use the full Carrier Business Name, without abbreviations, in order for BellSouth to successfully process the dispute.

Field Name	Service Type
Field Number	4
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	The service type field is critical to BellSouth, because it determines the service center to which the dispute is routed. The service types are: Switched Access Special Access Interconnection UNE PIC-C Equal Access Resale Collocation LNP Only one service type may be included on each dispute.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Entering the incorrect service type for the dispute in question will result in a delay in the processing time for the BAR. If a carrier enters an incorrect service type for the charge in question, the service center reroutes the BAR to the appropriate center. The carrier will be contacted when the rerouting occurs.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: The carrier should verify the service they are disputing and match that with the appropriate billing center from the Billing and Collection Escalation Matrix.

Field Name	Carrier (IXC) ACNA/CLEC/OCN
Field Number	5
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	Determines the Access Customer Name, Competitive Local Exchange Carrier and Operating Company Number for the dispute being sent.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Entering invalid codes for the ACNA, CLEC and OCN.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: The ACNA is the three (3) character Access Customer Name abbreviation. The Competitive Local Exchange Carrier should be a recognizable carrier name. The OCN is the four (4) character Operating Company Number.

Field Name	BAN/Q Account
Field Number	6
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	The BAN is the Billing Account Number for Carrier Access Billing System (CABS) billed customers. The Q Account is the Account Number assigned to Customer Records Information System (CRIS) billed customers.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Leaving this field blank.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: Leaving this field blank will result in a delayed response from BellSouth because they will not be able to access the bill in question based on a BAN or Q Account number. The carrier should provide the BAN/Q Account that appears on the bill. With this number, the dispute for the charge in question can be accessed in the appropriate billing system in a timely manner.

Field Name	End User Telephone Number (If Q Account)
Field Number	7
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	Actual End User Telephone or Miscellaneous Account number where the billing dispute appears.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Entering the carrier Phone Number instead of the End User Phone Number
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: The carrier should verify that the phone number being entered is that of the End User.

Field Name	BellSouth Circuit Number(s) BTN (If Q Account)
Field Number	8
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	BellSouth Circuit Identification Number assigned by BellSouth where the billing dispute appears (If Applicable).
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: N / A
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: N / A

Field Name	Amount Disputed
Field Number	9
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	Amount dispute in U.S. Dollars. Format: $1,234.56
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Incorrect format.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: The carrier should verify the format is correct for the amount being disputed.

Field Name	Recurring Charges
Field Number	10
Required Field	No
Field Description	If the charge being disputed appears each month as a new line item, then this box should be checked.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Not checking the box for a recurring charge.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: The carrier should verify whether the charge is recurring or not. If the charge is recurring and this box is not checked, then any adjustment made to the bill will only be made to the current month bill.

Field Name	Non-Recurring Charges
Field Number	11
Required Field	No
Field Description	If the charge does not appear as a new line item each month, then this box should be checked.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Not checking the box for Non-Recurring charge.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: If the charge is not recurring, then this box should be checked. Not checking the box could result in delays to the time it takes for processing the claim.

Field Name	Bill Date/Invoice Date or From & To Dates
Field Number	12
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	The Bill Date or Invoice Date of the billed item in dispute, or the From and To dates that the charges appear on the bill. Format: YYYY/MM/DD
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error:
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: BellSouth Billing systems process dates in the format YYYY/MM/DD. Verify the date is correctly formatted before submitting the BAR.

Field Name	Amount Withheld from Bill
Field Number	13
Required Field	No
Field Description	If applicable, the amount withheld from the billed invoice as noted in field #14, in U.S. Dollars. Format: $1,234.56
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Incorrect format.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: The carrier should verify the format is correct for the amount being disputed.

Field Name	BAN Number(s)/Q Account(s) Short Paid
Field Number	14
Required Field	Yes (#)
Field Description	Ban # or Q Account number that the amount withheld in "Amount Withheld from Bill" field was withheld on.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Only one Ban # or Q Account should be entered (See Note)
	Explanation / Resolution: Only one type of dispute can appear per BAR form. If the dispute is a mass dispute, enter the appropriate type and use the mass dispute template to list out the specific information regarding the dispute.
	Note: If Mass Dispute is involved, select the appropriate Dispute Type. MRC = Monthly Recurring; OCC = Other Charges & Credits; USG = Usage; LPC = Late Payment Charges; TAX = Taxes

Field Name	Reason Amount Is In Question
Field Number	15
Required Field	Yes
Field Description	Provide as much specific detailed billing information as possible to allow for timely response to your dispute, including specific Tariff and Contract references.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Error: Not providing enough information.
Common Error(s) and Resolution for Field	Explanation / Resolution: The carrier should provide as much information as possible in this field. For example, Invoice Date(s), Page Number(s), Order #'s, PON #'s, Itemized list of disputed charges (Please do not lump charges together). References as to whether an item should be billed as UNE instead of ACCESS should also appear. An Excel Spreadsheet may be attached to explain the itemized charges or a marked up copy of the bill pages where the disputed charges appear.