Implementation Guides

Providers billing electronic claims must follow the ASC X12N implementation guides. The 837 Institutional Implementation Guide is available from X12 by purchasing an X12 License. You can read more about X12 licensing. ASC X12 implementation guides have instructions on the content and format requirements for each standard’s requirements.

ASC X12N implementation guides are the specific technical instructions for carrying out each of the adopted HIPAA standards and gives instructions on the content and format requirements for each of the standards’ requirements. ASC X12 writes these documents for all health benefit payers to use, not specifically for Medicare.

Note that the implementation guides are technical documents and providers may need help from software vendors or clearinghouses to interpret and carry out the information within the guides.