Electronic Remittance Advice
Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) is the electronic equivalent of the Standard Paper Remittance (SPR). Remittance, whether electronic or paper, provides information on how claims are paid or why they are denied.
Advantages of the ERA
- Automatic Posting. Some practice management software packages offer the capability to automatically post on receipt of an ERA. Please work with your current vendor to see if your software has this capability. EDI Support Services (EDISS) also provides a vendor contact list in the Software & Vendors section of our web site that may be used to determine other vendors that may have this capability.
- Earlier notification of claim finalization. With ERAs, confirmation of paid or denied claims is sent the day after the claims have finalized, eliminating wait time for the SPR to arrive in the mail days later.
- Availability of free software. For reading ERAs, EDISS provides free billing software, such as MREP and PC Print (see the ERA Software section below for more information).
- Electronic remittance contains the same information as paper. ERAs contain the same information in the same format as SPRs when PC-ACE Pro32, MREP or PC Print is used (see the ERA Software section below for more information).
ERA Software
Software vendors offer free or low-cost software packages that can translate and print ERAs. Some software vendors provide electronic software packages that read ERAs and post the vital data to patient accounts. If software vendors do not have these packages, there are other free or low-cost options:
- Free ERA software provided by CMS. CMS provides two free software programs to view, read and print ERAs. MREP (Medicare Remit Easy Print) is for Medicare Part B providers. PC Print is for Medicare Part A providers
- EDISS's free or low-cost billing software. EDISS provides a free or low-cost billing software program called PC-ACE Pro32. PC-ACE Pro32 is used to create electronic claims and to import, read and print ERAs. EDISS has remit Quick Start Guides for MREP, PC-Print and PC-ACE Pro32. This user documentation helps users download and install the software.
How can I start receiving ERAs from EDISS?
To begin receiving ERAs from EDISS, fill out the EDI Registration Form. EDISS provides ERAs to all providers, whether they submit claims directly or use a clearinghouse or billing service. If you send claims through a billing service or clearinghouse, you have the option to have EDISS return your ERAs directly to you. You may want to choose this option if you use MREP or PC-Print to view, read and print ERAs in your office.
You should also make sure you have a connection to EDISS’s bulletin board system so you can download ERAs. Your connection with EDISS may already be established if your ERAs will be coming back the same way your electronic claims were submitted. If not, you should establish this connectivity. EDISS has a list of the connectivity options located on our web site under the Connectivity Options section.
For your reference, EDISS has created a checklist to help providers and trading partners complete the necessary steps to receive ERAs from EDISS.
Some of the documents located on this page are in PDF format and can be opened in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not already have this application, follow the Get Adobe Acrobat link to download a free copy of the software.