Zero, blank and missing are not the same state

A zero count has a meaning: no allowed amounts in the applicable history. A blank statistic is different from a statistic that equals zero. A missing field is different again. Collapsing these states can hide the very relationship a reviewer needs to inspect.

For the no-claims case, CMS's FAQ describes a zero count, blank median and percentiles, and an explanation of insufficient remittance history. Treat that as a relationship across fields, rather than a rule that every cell must contain a number.

Preserve the original values before applying any normalization. If your review tool converts blank statistics into numeric zero, keep a separate record of the raw value. Otherwise the export and the review can start telling different stories. Check applicability first: fully calculable dollar charges have a separate treatment.

Read the original research: When a zero count has a median.

Sources: CMS FAQ; CMS technical documentation.