Which field is essential for identifying the billing provider on the CMS-1500 form?

The billing provider on the CMS-1500 form is identified in Box 33. This box specifically is designated for the name, address, and National Provider Identifier (NPI) of the billing provider or entity. This information is crucial as it ensures that payments are directed to the correct party responsible for submitting the claim.

Box 33 is the point of reference for insurance companies to ascertain who provided the service and to send the payment accordingly, integrating important components of financial accountability and record-keeping in healthcare billing. The clarity of this information helps to prevent delays in payment processing and facilitates smoother communication between healthcare providers and insurance companies.

While other boxes on the form serve important purposes, such as identifying the patient's information, the provider's specialty, or other billing details, Box 33 is the primary field that directly identifies the billing provider's information essential for proper claim processing and reimbursement.