Where to send paper claims to Medicare?

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You can find your specific claims mailing address using the Medicare Filing a Claim page, because Medicare claim addresses depend on your state and your specific Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).

How to File a Medicare Claim by Mail

  • Rarely needed: Doctors and providers usually submit claims for you under Original Medicare.
  • When to mail: Use this process only if a doctor refuses to file or does not accept Medicare.
  • Required form: Fill out the CMS-1490S Patient Request for Medical Payment Form.
  • What to include: Attach an itemized bill, a letter of explanation, and supporting receipts.
  • Deadline: Mail the documents within 12 months (one year) of the date you received the service.
  • Find your address: Check pages 13–18 of the CMS-1490S form instructions or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) to get the exact PO Box for your state's contractor.

Can I send paper claims to Medicare?

Yes, Medicare accepts paper claims, but only under specific circumstances.

Rules for Healthcare Providers

Under the Administrative Simplification Compliance Act (ASCA), Medicare requires providers to submit claims electronically. Paper claims from providers are generally rejected unless they meet strict exceptions:

  • Small providers: Providers with very few full-time employees or those who submit an average of fewer than 10 claims per month over a calendar year.
  • Demonstration projects: Claims under specific Medicare demonstration projects that explicitly allow paper submission.
  • Unusual circumstances: Temporary disruptions like power outages or natural disasters, or roster billing situations.

When approved, professional paper claims must be submitted on the red-printed CMS-1500 (02/12) form, and institutional claims must use the UB-04 (CMS-1450) form.

Rules for Beneficiaries

If you are filing your own claim for reimbursement (for example, if a doctor did not accept Medicare assignment and you paid out of pocket):

  • You must submit a paper form called the Patient's Request for Medical Payment (Form CMS-1490S).
  • Medicare does not have an online submission portal for beneficiaries, so these forms must be printed, filled out, attached to your itemized bills, and mailed to your regional Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).

How do I submit claims to Medicare?

You can submit a manual claim to Medicare by downloading and mailing the Patient's Request for Medical Payment form (CMS-1490S) found on the Official Medicare Claims Page.

Most of the time, your doctor or healthcare provider submits claims for you. You only need to file a claim yourself in rare cases, such as when a provider refuses or fails to file a covered service.

Steps to Submit a Claim

  • Gather your documents: Collect an itemized bill from your doctor, receipts for any payments made, a description of the services, and the doctor's name, address, and National Provider Identifier (NPI).
  • Complete the form: Fill out the CMS-1490S form completely and clearly.
  • Attach documentation: Include copies (not originals) of your itemized bills, receipts, and an explanation letter.
  • Mail the claim: Send your packet to your state's specific Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) address, which can be found in the instructions of the form.
  • Meet the deadline: You must submit your claim within 12 months (1 year) of the date you received the service.
  • Processing time: It typically takes 30 to 60 days for Medicare to process a mailed claim.

What is claims mailing address?

A claims mailing address is the specific post office box or location where you or your doctor must mail paper insurance claim forms and bills to get paid.

How to Find Your Specific Address

  • Check your insurance card: Look at the back or front of your member ID card for a printed claims submission address.
  • Visit the provider portal: Search the official website of your insurance company under their provider or member support sections.
  • Call customer service: Use the phone number listed on your insurance card to ask the representative for the correct mailing destination.

Common Examples

  • Medicare: Mailed using form CMS-1490S to your state's specific Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) address.
  • Humana Medical: Sent to P.O. Box 14601, Lexington, KY 40512-4601.
  • Wellcare: Sent to P.O. Box 31372, Tampa, FL 33631-3372.

What is the mailing address for Medicare?

The general mailing address for general correspondence and paper forms sent to Official Medicare Contact is Medicare Contact Center Operations, PO Box 1270, Lawrence, KS 66044.

Other Specific Medicare Addresses

  • Premium Payments: Mail your Medicare Premium Collection Center payments and coupons to PO Box 790355, St. Louis, MO 63179-0355.
  • Claims: If you have Original Medicare, send claim forms to the specific address listed for your state on your claim form's Medicare Administrative Contractor Address Table.
  • Federal Headquarters: The main office for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is located at 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244-1850.

Small Medicare Providers Submitting Paper Claims for PT, OT, SLP #MedicareBilling

9 related questions found

Where to send Medicare paper claims?

You must send your Medicare paper claim to your state's specific Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC) based on where you received the medical services.

Where to Mail Your Claim

How do you submit secondary claims to Medicare?

Submit the claim to the primary insurance first, wait for the primary Explanation of Benefits (EOB), and then file the secondary claim to Medicare either electronically (837 format) or via paper (CMS-1500 form) with primary payment details included.

📋 Steps to Submit a Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Claim

  • 🔎 1. Bill Primary First
    • Send the initial claim to the Medicare Coordination of Benefits primary payer (like a group health plan or liability insurer).
    • Wait for the primary insurer to process the claim and issue an EOB or Remittance Advice (RA).
  • 📊 2. Gather Primary Adjudication Data
    • Note the primary payer's paid amount, allowed amount, and adjustment codes.
    • Identify the correct Insurance Type Code explaining why Medicare is secondary.
  • 💻 3. Choose Submission Method
    • Electronic: Use standard ANSI ASC X12N 837 format or billing software like PC-ACE, populating loops 2000B and 2320 with primary payment data.
    • Paper: Fill out form CMS-1500 completely, including primary policy details in Item 11 and attaching the primary EOB.

Can Medicare claims be submitted electronically?

Yes, Medicare claims must generally be submitted electronically.

How Electronic Submission Works

  • Mandatory Rule: Under the Administrative Simplification Compliance Act (ASCA), most initial Medicare claims must be sent electronically.
  • Fast Processing: Clean electronic claims can be paid as early as 14 days after receipt, compared to a longer wait for paper claims.
  • Submission Tools: Providers use HIPAA-compliant software, clearinghouses, Direct Data Entry (DDE), or portals provided by their regional Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC).

Common Exceptions

Paper claims are only permitted in rare or specific situations, such as:

  • Small Providers: Certain small practices or institutions with very low full-time employee counts or low monthly claim volumes.
  • Beneficiaries: Claims submitted directly by individuals rather than professional medical providers.
  • Unique Circumstances: Severe communication or power disruptions lasting more than two business days.

Can I submit receipts to Medicare for reimbursement?

Yes, you can submit receipts and itemized bills to Original Medicare for reimbursement, but only in rare situations where your doctor or supplier refuses or fails to submit the claim for you.

When You Can Submit a Claim

  • Your healthcare provider does not accept Medicare or refuses to file the paperwork.
  • You paid out-of-pocket for a covered service and need to claim the expenses back.
  • Note: Healthcare providers who accept Medicare are legally required to submit claims for you in most normal circumstances.

How to Submit Your Receipts and Bills

  1. Get the Form: Download and complete the Patient's Request for Medical Payment form (CMS-1490S).
  2. Gather Documents: Collect your itemized bill or invoice, payment receipts, and a short letter of explanation. The bill must show the date of service, place of service, description of services, charges, and the provider's National Provider Identifier (NPI).
  3. Mail the Paperwork: Mail copies of your documents and the completed form to your state's designated Medicare Administrative Contractor (MAC). Medicare does not accept online claim submissions from beneficiaries.
  4. Meet Deadlines: You must submit your claim within 12 months (1 year) from the date you received the service.

What are the common mistakes in Medicare billing?

Common mistakes in Medicare billing include incorrect patient or insurance data, coding errors like upcoding, and duplicate charges.

Top Medicare Billing Errors

  • Incorrect Patient/Policy Details: Typos in a patient's name, birth date, or errors using the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) or outdated numbers like the HICN.
  • Coding Errors (Upcoding or Downcoding): Using wrong CPT or HCPCS procedure codes, or exaggerating the level of service provided.
  • Duplicate Billing: Submitting a claim or charging twice for the exact same service or item.
  • Lack of Medical Necessity Documentation: Failing to provide clear medical records or notes that prove a test or treatment meets Medicare coverage rules.
  • Primary Payer Confusion: Sending a claim to Medicare first when the patient has another active primary insurance, such as group health coverage.
  • Unrendered Services: Accidentally billing for procedures, tests, or visits that the patient never received.
  • Missed Deadlines: Missing strict submission or appeal timeframes set by Medicare.