Determining Start Date of Timely Filing Period -- Date of Service

In general, the start date for determining the 12 month timely filing period is the date of service or “From” date on the claim. For institutional claims (Form CMS-1450, the UB-04 and now the 837 I or its paper equivalent) that include span dates of service (i.e., a “From” and “Through” date span on the claim), the “Through” date on the claim is used for determining the date of service for claims filing timeliness.


Certain claims for services require the reporting of a line item date of service. For professional claims (Form CMS-1500 and 837-P) submitted by physicians and other suppliers that include span dates of service, the line item “From” date is used for determining the date of service for claims filing timeliness. (This includes DME supplies and rental items.) If a line item “From” date is not timely but the “To” date is timely, contractors must split the line item and deny the untimely services as not timely filed. Claims having a date of service on February 29 must be filed by February 28 of the following year to be considered timely filed. What constitutes a claim is defined below.


Time Limitations for Filing Part A and Part B Claims

Medicare regulations at 42 CFR 424.44 define the timely filing period for Medicare fee for service claims. In general, such claims must be filed to the appropriate Medicare claims processing contractor no later than 12 months, or 1 calendar year, after the date the services were furnished. (See section §70.7 below for details of the exceptions to the 12 month timely filing limit.)