How to Submit Form CMS 1500

The CMS 1500 is the accepted paper claim form for healthcare providers to request reimbursement for Medicare benefits. In most costs, requests for reimbursement require electronic submission, while the CMS 1500 is reserved for extenuating circumstances, requiring special approval status. If you are seeking to submit this form, you first need that approval and must purchase the form. You must submit the form free from errors for Medicare to process the form. You cannot charge a Medicare recipient for filling out the form and must submit the form within one-year of performing services or risk denial of reimbursement.

Things You'll Need

• Approval to use CMS 1500
• CMS 1500 form

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Instructions

• 1

  Request approval to use the CMS 1500 form by submitting a waiver if required. If you have, less than ten employees or you are experiencing a disruption of electrical or communication services, you do not need to submit a waiver request. Simply submit the form in such circumstances. If you do not meet these circumstances, you must submit a waiver request and gain approval to use the form. You must draft a letter to your Medicare contractor to request the waiver.

• 2

  Purchase the CMS 1500 form if you meet the required circumstances or have gained pre-approved to use the form. You will need to purchase the form from the Government Printing Office (GPO) by visiting the online bookstore and searching for the form.

• 3

  Complete the form by using only the originals your purchase. Never attempt to copy the forms and complete them. The forms you purchase use character recognition technologies, read electronically. If you submit forms other than those available for purchase, Medicare will reject the forms. Fill out the forms according the extensive guidelines provided in the CMS manual, available online, as Medicare always keeps he online manual up-to-date with ever changing regulations.

• 4

  File your claims within one year from the date you provided services as reflected on the claim form. If you submit your claims more than one year after the provision of services, Medicare will deny reimbursement.

• 5

  Make sure there are no errors on the claim form before your submit. Review the CMS 1500 and make sure you code all treatments and conditions correctly and accurately document the patient. Make sure you fill out all required information. If Medicare returns your claim due to missing information or inaccuracies, you still must fix the claims and resubmit within the one-year requirement from date-of-service.

• 6

  Submit the form by mailing to the address on the CMS 1500 you purchased. This means, the form you purchased is the most up-dated form at that time, with the correct address for submission. If you use forms over a year old, this information might be inaccurate, prompting a return with a request to send to the correct address.