The full definition
ASC X12 837P is the standard format for submitting professional service claims electronically to payers. Practices generate the 837P from their clinical documentation, the claim flows through a clearinghouse to the payer, and the payer responds with adjudication (paid, denied, or pended). 837P handles the vast majority of behavioral health, primary care, psychiatry, outpatient, and specialty practice claims.
Why it matters in practice
Compared to paper claims, 837P submission is faster (days instead of weeks), cheaper, and easier to audit. Most clearinghouses charge per claim — typically $0.10–$0.50 depending on volume. Practices that submit electronic claims also receive electronic remittance advice (835 ERAs) that automate the payment posting workflow.
Real-world examples
- Submitting a 90834 (45-minute therapy session) claim to BlueCross
- Submitting a 99214 (E&M office visit) claim to Medicare
- Submitting an H0015 (IOP) claim to a Medicaid Managed Care plan
Inside Velant
Velant submits 837P claims at $0.14 per claim with resubmission support — typically the lowest per-transaction price in the market for healthcare CRM-integrated billing.
Related terms
- 270/271 Real-Time Eligibility VerificationThe HIPAA standard transaction pair used to verify a patient's insurance coverage in real time. 270 is the request to the payer; 271 is the response.
- ERA / 835 Electronic Remittance AdviceThe HIPAA-standard electronic format used by payers to communicate claim adjudication results — payments, denials, adjustments, and patient responsibility.
- HIPAA-Compliant CRMA customer relationship management system designed to handle Protected Health Information (PHI) in accordance with the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996.