Question: We receive a ton of denials on paper claims, and I think it's mostly due to the fact that the claims are not clean. What are some easy ways to clean up our paper claims and avoid unnecessary denials? Answer: You can find a solution to your long-standing paper claim denial problem - if you know where to look.
Connecticut Subscriber
According to CIGNA Healthcare Medicare Administration, practices that still submit paper claims should check out Cigna's list of the most common CMS-1500 claim form errors.
Here's what you need to plug in on the trickiest boxes of the CMS-1500:
Item 17 and 17A: Remember to list the referring/ ordering physician name (that's one name only) and a valid unique provider identification number (UPIN). Not all tests require that information; a regular office visit doesn't, but tests like threshold field exams do.
Item 21: List up to four ICD-9 codes. Make sure you file a new claim form for billed items not linked to one of the four valid diagnosis codes.
Item 24e: Each procedure that you bill on a claim line should include only one diagnosis reference number (1, 2, 3 or 4) and should refer to the primary diagnosis from item 21 if you are listing multiple diagnoses. Don't list ICD-9 codes here - save those for item 21.
Item 28: Put "continued" here when you require multiple claim forms for the same beneficiary, with the total charge on the last page.
Item 29: Enter only the total amount that the beneficiary paid on his covered charges. Do not include payment for noncovered charges, deductibles, previous claims or primary insurers.
Item 31: Get the signature - computerized, stamped or authentic - and the date signed from the practitioner, supplier or his representative. Initialing or writing just a company name is a no-no.