How soon should electronic claims generally be submitted after a patient visit?

How soon should electronic claims generally be submitted after a patient visit?

• A. After payer approval is obtained.
• B. Only after patient consent is obtained.
• C. Within 24 to 48 hours, or as soon as the visit is completed.
• D. At the end of the calendar quarter.

Answer: (C)

Submitting electronic claims promptly after a patient visit is essential because it speeds up reimbursement, reduces aging accounts receivable, and gives payer systems time to process the claim while still allowing for any needed corrections. A claim is a request for payment, not a pre-approval from the payer, so you don’t wait for payer approval before sending it in. Patient consent isn’t required just to file a standard medical claim, though you must protect privacy and comply with HIPAA when handling information. Waiting until the end of the calendar quarter would delay cash flow and can lead to more denials from aging claims. Therefore, the best practice is to submit within 24 to 48 hours, or as soon as the visit is completed.

Submitting electronic claims promptly after a patient visit is essential because it speeds up reimbursement, reduces aging accounts receivable, and gives payer systems time to process the claim while still allowing for any needed corrections. A claim is a request for payment, not a pre-approval from the payer, so you don’t wait for payer approval before sending it in. Patient consent isn’t required just to file a standard medical claim, though you must protect privacy and comply with HIPAA when handling information. Waiting until the end of the calendar quarter would delay cash flow and can lead to more denials from aging claims. Therefore, the best practice is to submit within 24 to 48 hours, or as soon as the visit is completed.