What does box 6 on the CMS-1500 form indicate?

Box 6 on the CMS-1500 form is used to indicate the patient's relationship to the insured individual. This information is critical for health insurance claims processing, as it helps insurance companies determine coverage eligibility and benefits. Understanding the relationship between the patient and the policyholder can influence the handling of the claim and any applicable deductibles or coverage limits.

In this context, knowing whether the patient is the policyholder, a spouse, a child, or another relative is essential for proper billing and ensuring that claims are submitted correctly. This relationship detail informs the insurer who is responsible for the claim payment, helping to streamline the claims process.

The other options do not accurately represent the purpose of box 6. The patient's diagnosis is reported in box 21, previous insurance coverage details are not a primary focus of this form, and the patient's preferred contact method is not recorded on the CMS-1500 form at all. Thus, recognizing box 6 as denoting the patient's relationship to the insured is vital for appropriate claim processing.