What is the UB-04 used for?

The UB-04 form is primarily utilized for hospital claims. This standardized claim form is specifically designed to facilitate the billing process for inpatient and outpatient services provided by hospitals and other healthcare facilities. It contains detailed information about the nature of the services rendered, the patient’s stay in the hospital, diagnoses, and procedures performed.

By using the UB-04, hospitals can ensure that they are providing the necessary information required by insurers and government programs for reimbursement of services. It is not intended for outpatient claims typically processed with different forms, nor is it used for claims related to individual physicians or dental services, which have their own specific claim forms (like the CMS-1500 for physician claims or dental claim forms for dental services). Using the UB-04 ensures compliance with federal regulations and supports accurate coding and billing in the healthcare revenue cycle.