Whether submitting paper or electronic claims, the system offers several options for the completion of the Signature in Box 12 of the CMS-1500. Box 12 is where the patient is authorizing the release of his or her Protected Health Information (PHI) to the insurance carrier. If Box 12 is blank, there will be an automatic rejection of the claim.
There are 3 different classifications regarding the Signature used in box 12. Select one of the following options:
ON FILE – The patient has signed an authorization statement in the office, which is kept in the patient’s file. This authorizes the practice to release the patients PHI to the insurance company. If the practice does not have the patient’s signature on an authorization, do not use this option because NOTHING can legally be sent to the insurance company.
DIGITIZED – At this time, do NOT select this item. The system is not yet collecting patient signatures to automatically enter on the CMS-1500 forms.
ORIGINAL – Selecting this option means that a paper CMS-1500 form will be given to the patient and the patient MUST actually sign box 12 on every form that needs to be submitted.