What is the primary responsibility of a billing specialist regarding the CMS-1500 form?

The primary responsibility of a billing specialist regarding the CMS-1500 form is to complete, submit, and follow up on claims. This form is a crucial document used in the healthcare industry for billing purposes, specifically for outpatient services and for physicians or suppliers to bill Medicare and other insurance payers.

The billing specialist must ensure that the information provided on the CMS-1500 form is accurate and complete, which includes patient demographics, treatment details, and diagnostic codes. After submitting the claim to the insurance company, the billing specialist also needs to follow up to ensure that claims are processed correctly and payments are received in a timely manner. This involves communication with insurance companies if there are any issues or denials to resolve, ensuring that the practice receives appropriate reimbursement for services rendered.

In contrast, managing healthcare infrastructure and negotiating with insurance companies are tasks typically handled by other roles within healthcare organizations. While handling patient inquiries is important in a medical office, it is not the primary focus of a billing specialist with regard to the CMS-1500 form. Thus, the completion, submission, and follow-up on claims encapsulates their key responsibilities efficiently.