Which claim form is most commonly used for paper claims?

The CMS-1500 form is the standard claim form used for billing Medicare and other health insurance programs for services provided by healthcare professionals. It is primarily employed by individual healthcare providers and small group practices for outpatient services. This form is designed to capture a variety of healthcare claims, including those related to office visits, diagnostic tests, and outpatient procedures, making it the most widely utilized form for paper claims in those scenarios.

In contrast, the UB-04 form is typically used for hospital and institutional claims, covering services provided in a facility setting such as inpatient care, outpatient services, and other institutional care facilities. The HCFA-1500 is an older term for the same form as the CMS-1500, primarily referring to the form used prior to the rebranding by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Claim Form 85 isn't widely recognized, particularly in the context of medical claim processing, further making the CMS-1500 the preferred choice for paper claims among healthcare providers.