Payers Extend Claims Filing Deadlines
By Ellen Terry

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Some health plans have relaxed their timely claims filing limits as part of their COVID-19 policies. Payers have adopted various temporary deadlines and extensions, so be sure you file within each payer’s timeline if you choose to delay filing claims. 

However, the Texas Medical Association recommends practices continue to follow payers’ standard timely filing limits.  

“It is difficult enough to keep up with each plan’s standard variations in timely filing limits,” TMA practice management consultant Carra Benson said. “You can prevent more confusion by remaining consistent with your usual claims filing process.” 

These payers have published extensions: 

  • Cigna has extended timely claim filing requirements by an additional 90 days for all claim types, for dates of service on and after March 15 through at least July 31. Cigna says it may request to review the care you provided for medical necessity post-service. 
  • Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) says the period from March 1 to 60 days after the announced end of the COVID-19 national public health emergency will not count toward timely filing requirements. See these examples on the BCBSTX website. 
  • UnitedHealthcare has extended timely filing deadlines for claims during the national emergency period for Medicare Advantage, Medicaid, and individual and group market health plans. Claims with a date of service on or after Jan. 1 will not be denied for failure to meet timely filing deadlines if submitted by June 30.

Find more information, tools, and resources on the COVID-19 Resource Center and Practice Viability pages, which are updated frequently.

Last Updated On

June 25, 2020

Originally Published On

June 25, 2020

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