When Denials Management, Inc. files a claim on your behalf and assists with your claims management, we use the UB-04 form for claim billing. You may be wondering, “What does UB-04 mean?” Simply put, this form can be used by any institutional provider for billing medical and mental health claims. This uniform billing form was created by The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) to be used by institutional providers for claim billing. It has developed and evolved into one of the most commonly used forms for billing medical and mental health claims. The UB-04 form is popular among all insurance carriers. Although a majority of these claims must be filed electronically, the UB-04 is distinguished by white standard paper with red ink.

This form is regulated by two associations: The American Hospital Association and the National Uniform Billing Committee. The American Hospital Association (AHA) is a professional group that builds awareness, fairness, and quality among health care professionals and networks. The National Uniform Billing Committee (NUBC) is a governing body which oversees forms and code for medical claims billing. Together, the AHA and NUBC design, modify, and update certain specifications for the UB-04 guidelines.

What is Different About The UB-04 Form?

The UB-04 is the most current version of the uniform bill used by institutional providers. This form provides some much-needed improvements from the UB-92 form. Some of these changes include:

• Increased the number of condition code fields from seven to eleven fields
• Created a new field of ICD classifications which can now be used in ICD 9 and 10
• Expansion of the diagnosis field sizes to accommodate ICD 10 codes
• Expanded the number of fields for diagnoses from nine to 18
• Revised physician fields to include specific fields for National Provider Identifier # (NPI, first and last names, qualifications, and Tax ID #’s
• Addition of three specific fields for patient’s reason for the visit
  

Tips for Preparing Your UB-04

Understanding the UB-04 Fields

There are 81 fields (or lines) on a UB-04 form. These are referred to as form locators or “FL.” Each form locator has a unique purpose for the insurance carrier and provider so that they can communicate. It’s important that each of the UB-04 fields is filled out correctly to ensure a smooth process. Our guide tells you what every FL requires, so you can fill out your UB-04 efficiently.

• Form Locator 45: Service dates.
• Form Locator 46: Service units.
• Form Locator 47: Total charge.
• Form Locator 48: Non-covered charges.
• Form Locator 49: Page of and creation date.
• Form Locator 50: Payer Identification (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 51: Health plan ID (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 52: Release of information (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 53: Assignment of benefits (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 54: Prior payments (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 55: Estimated amount due (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 56: Billing provider national provider identifier (NPI).
• Form Locator 57: Other provider ID (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 58: Insured’s name (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 59: Patient’s relationship (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 60: Insured’s unique ID (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 61: Insurance group name (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 62: Insurance group number (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 63: Treatment authorization code (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 64: Document control number also referred to as Internal control number (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 65: Insured’s employer name (a) Primary, (b) Secondary, and (c) Tertiary.
• Form Locator 66: Diagnosis codes (ICD).
• Form Locator 67: Principle diagnosis code, other diagnoses, and present on admission (POA) indicators.
• Form Locator 68: Not in use.
• Form Locator 69: Admitting diagnosis codes.
• Form Locator 70: Patient’s reason for visit codes.
• Form Locator 71: Prospective payment system (PPS) code.
• Form Locator 72: External cause of injury code and POA indicator.
• Form Locator 73: Not in use.
• Form Locator 74: Other procedure code and date.
• Form Locator 75: Not in use.
• Form Locator 76: Attending provider NPI, ID, qualifiers, and last and first name.
• Form Locator 77: Operating physician NPI, ID, qualifiers, and last and first name.
• Form Locator 78: Other provider NPI, ID, qualifiers, and last and first name.
• Form Locator 79: Other provider NPI, ID, qualifiers, and last and first name.
• Form Locator 80: Remarks.
• Form Locator 81: Taxonomy code and qualifier.

Follow this UB-04 Demo PDF to see these boxes explained in a real form!

Making Sure Your UB-04 Form is Correct

Once you double check your form to ensure that the format is correct with the accurate date in the correct form location, the next step is to turn it in. To make the process simple, a majority of payers accept photocopied or black and white UB-04 medical claims. If you mail in your form, Denials Management recommends sending in the original form with the “red ink,” and keeping the photocopy for yourself. Occasionally, if you mail in a form it may not scan into their system properly. This creates a delay, mishandling, or denial in payment. Sending the form electronically can make the process easier, and give you peace of mind. Either way, you don’t want to highlight any information on the claim, nor do you want to handwrite comments on the UB-04 form. You will need to enter the insurance information on the UB-04, including the patient’s name, exactly as it appears on the insurance card. Again, many large commercial payers now require these forms to be filed electronically directly from a provider or third-party billing agency, like Denials Management.

We usually submit what is only required, and that is the UB-04 form with itemized statements and invoices for medical or mental health services. If the insurance company asks for more medical information such as medical history, medical records, primary payer explanation of benefits, or proof of accident, and injury or treatment. Those records will also be forwarded per the carrier’s request.

Knowing the UB-04

The UB-04 form may seem daunting, but Denials Management is here to help. Our company is here for you for all aspects of medical billing, from medical billing denials to this specific form. With our user-friendly guide, navigating the UB-04 fields has been made simple. If you need assistance filling out your UB-04, contact us today and we’re more than happy to help!