Claim Submission Workflow
How to Submit a CMS-1500 Paper Claim
A practical paper-claim workflow: confirm paper filing is permitted, prepare the current form, validate the data, print on a compliant form and route it to the correct payer address.
Reviewed September 2026 · Educational reference — verify payer and program requirements.
Step-by-step workflow
- Step 1. Confirm paper submission is allowed
- Step 2. Use a compliant CMS-1500 form
- Step 3. Validate patient/provider/service data
- Step 4. Check alignment and legibility
- Step 5. Use the payer’s correct mailing route
- Step 6. Keep a claim record and track the result
Submission rules vary. The correct payer address, portal, clearinghouse, trading-partner connection, companion guide, enrollment and acknowledgment process depend on the payer and program. Use this workflow to organize the process, then follow the payer’s current instructions.