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 upon receipt of an ERA. Please work with your current vendor to see if your software has this capability. EDISS also provides a vendor contact list in the Software & Vendors section of our website that may be used to determine other vendors that may have this capability.
- Earlier notification of claim finalization – With the ERA, confirmation of paid or denied claims are sent Friday night or Saturday morning, eliminating wait time for the SPR to arrive in the mail days later.
ERA Softwares
Software vendors offer free/low-cost software packages that have the capability to translate and print the ERA. 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/low-cost options:
- EDISS’ Free/Low-Cost Billing Software:
EDISS provides a free/low-cost billing software called PC-ACE Pro32. PC-ACE Pro32 is used to create electronic claims, and to import, read, and print ERA.
EDISS has created remit Quick Start Guides for PC-ACE Pro 32. This user documentation assists users on downloading and installing the softwares.
How can I start receiving ERAs from EDISS?
To begin receiving ERAs from EDISS, complete the registration process in Total Onboarding (TOB). EDISS provides ERAs to all providers whether they submit claims directly or use a clearinghouse or billing service. If you are sending claims through a billing service or clearinghouse there is the option for the provider to obtain the ERA directly back to the provider.
Providers also need to make sure that they have a connection to EDISS’ bulletin board system or Iowa Medicaid web portal in order to download the ERA. This connection may already be established with EDISS if the ERA will be coming back the same way that electronic claims are being submitted, if not, this connectivity may need to be established. EDISS has a list of the connectivity options located on our website under the Connectivity Options section.
How do I interpret the 835 or ERA?
CMS has provided a guide on how to read a remittance advice titled Understanding the Remittance Advice. 
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.