In certain cases, which form must a patient use to submit their own claim to Medicare?

The CMS-1490s form is specifically designated for beneficiaries who wish to submit their own claims to Medicare. This form is used for patients to report expenses they have incurred for medical services that they believe should be covered by Medicare, particularly in situations when the provider has not submitted the claim on their behalf.

Using the CMS-1490s, patients can document the necessary details regarding the medical services received, including the nature of the service, the date it was provided, and any associated costs. This process allows Medicare to evaluate the claim based on the information provided directly from the beneficiary.

In contrast, the other forms mentioned have different purposes. The CMS-1450s is mainly used for hospital billing, the CMS-1500s is utilized for professional services primarily rendered by health care providers, and the CMS-1550s does not correspond to a known standard claim form. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why the CMS-1490s is the appropriate choice for patients submitting their own claims to Medicare.