Billing Adjustment Request (BAR) Form

Error:
Entering the date in the incorrect format. 

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

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.

Error:
Entering one tracking number for multiple dispute types. 

Resolution/Explanation:
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.

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Entering a Carrier Business Name that is either outdated or has not been updated in the BellSouth Billing Systems.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.

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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.

Error:
N/A

Explanation/Resolution:
N/A

Amount dispute in U.S. Dollars.

Format: $1,234.56

Error:
Incorrect format.

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

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.

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 to process the claim.

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

Error:
Entering the date in the incorrect format. 

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

If applicable, the amount withheld from the billed invoice as noted in field #14, in U.S. Dollars.

Format: $1,234.56

Error:
Incorrect format.

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

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

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.

Error:
N/A

Explanation/Resolution:
N/A

Complete e-mail address of the person/carrier or designated contact sending the dispute to BellSouth.  This is the preferred form of transmittal, and will result in more timely communication.

Format: text@domain.com

Error:
Entering an invalid e-mail address. 

Explanation/Resolution:
BellSouth uses the e-mail address provided to send a response letting the carrier know when the dispute investigation is complete.  Often, the carrier provides an incorrect e-mail is does not know a time frame around completion of the dispute process and submits another BAR form causing complications in the billing systems.

Error:
Providing an invalid phone number.

Explanation/Resolution:
If an e-mail address is not sent, BellSouth will use the phone number to contact the carrier.  If the phone number is invalid, BellSouth has no recourse for the disputed claim.

Error:
Providing an invalid fax number.

Explanation/Resolution:
If an e-mail address or phone number are not provided, BellSouth will use the fax number to contact the carrier.  If the fax number is invalid, BellSouth has no recourse for the disputed claim.

Error:
Providing an invalid or insufficient address.

Explanation/Resolution:
If an e-mail address is not provided, BellSouth will use the mailing address to contact the CLEC.  If the address is invalid, BellSouth has no recourse for the disputed claim.

The date that BellSouth receives the completed form from the disputing carrier with the required fields populated.

Format:  YYYY/MM/DD

Amount Disputed in U.S. Dollars (this is the same amount as in field #9)

Format: $1,234.56

The amount credited* to the carrier on the disputed items (if valid) in U.S. Dollars.

Format: $1,234.56

* $0.00 is posted if no adjustment is issued.

The amount debited to the carrier on disputed items or where BellSouth identifies items were not billed to the carrier in U.S. Dollars.

Format: $1,234.56

The amount denied on the dispute.

Format: $1,234.56

The amount credited to the carrier when a dispute investigation identifies additional items billed in error (if valid) in U.S. Dollars.

Format: $1,234.56

The amount debited to the carrier on disputed items or where BellSouth identifies additional items were not billed to the carrier in U.S. Dollars.

Format: $1,234.56

The total debit/credit applied to the dispute.

Format: $1,234.56

The Bill Date or Invoice Date a Debit or Credit adjustment appears, if one was issued.

Format: YYYY/MM/DD

The date BellSouth has completed the dispute investigation and sent the resolution to the disputing carrier.

Format: YYYY/MM/DD