While we have a uniform claim form, we do not have uniform billing. These plans also require a variety of attachments. Likewise these payers have been slow to accept electronic billing. State Medicaid agencies cite federal law as requiring Sterilization Consent Forms, Hysterectomy Consent Forms, and copies of EOB's for any prior payments on a Medicaid claim. Their system should be revised to hold this information rather than require an attachment.
Many payers apparently require attachments to cover the deficiencies in their internal systems.
92 formats back to UB-82 for processing. There are many elements unique to the UB-92 that may not convert. This may also explain why some commercial payers require their own form attached to the claim. Federal legislation is needed to control attachments and the effect of attachments on payments. We have accomplished nothing if we forbid attachments and payers hold claims waiting for the patient or subscriber to complete and return their referral form.