Which code format is primarily used for submitting claims for outpatient services?

The CMS-1500 form is specifically designed for submitting claims for outpatient services provided by healthcare professionals, primarily in non-institutional settings. This form is utilized by individual practitioners, such as physicians and other non-institutional providers, to bill Medicare, Medicaid, and many private insurance companies for services rendered to patients.

The structure of the CMS-1500 form includes sections for patient and provider information, as well as for detailing the specific services provided, making it ideal for outpatient scenarios where such detail is necessary. This format allows outpatient providers to effectively communicate information regarding diagnoses, procedures, and the associated billing to insurance payers.

In contrast, other code formats like the UB-04 and previously UB-92 are tailored for institutional providers, such as hospitals or skilled nursing facilities, and are used primarily for inpatient services and certain outpatient services occurring within these facilities. The ANSI ASC X12N, while important for electronic claims submissions, represents a standard but is not specific to the format of claims forms used by outpatient providers. Therefore, the CMS-1500 is the most appropriate choice for outpatient services claims.