HCFA-1500 Box 31 - Signature of Physician or Supplier Including Degrees or Credentials

On the HCFA-1500 form, Box 31 is labeled “Signature of Physician or Supplier Including Degrees or Credentials” and is used to certify the accuracy of the claim. This box includes the provider’s signature (or “signature on file”) along with the date the claim was signed.

Tip: Most practices use the name of the Provider/Organization/Supplier who rendered the services. Always include the date signed. Electronic claims include this certification automatically as part of the transaction.

In our example below, the provider signed as JANE DOE DC with a signature date of 07/30/2025.

In the X12 837P 5010 transaction, Box 31 maps to CLM06 in the 2300 Claim Information Loop, which represents the Provider or Supplier Signature Indicator.

Sample 837P (5010) – Box 31 Mapping

Segment Breakdown (focus on Box 31):

• CLM06: Provider Signature Indicator (Y = Provider signature is on file, N = Not on file)
• The printed provider name and date (e.g., JANE DOE DC, 07/30/2025) are displayed on the paper form but are represented electronically in the claim certification.

Note: Most payers require Y in CLM06 to certify that the provider’s signature is on file. Using N may cause the claim to reject. The provider name and date remain important for paper claims, but electronic claims rely on the indicator alone.

For additional information on the X12 837 standard, please refer to the official implementation guides published by X12.

HCFA-1500 Form Box Locations

• HCFA-1500 Box 0 - Carrier Block
• HCFA-1500 Box 1 - Insurance Type
• HCFA-1500 Box 1a - Insured's ID Number
• HCFA-1500 Box 2 - Patient's Name
• HCFA-1500 Box 3 - Patient's Birth Date and Sex
• HCFA-1500 Box 4 - Insured's Name
• HCFA-1500 Box 5 - Patient's Address
• HCFA-1500 Box 6 - Patient Relationship to Insured
• HCFA-1500 Box 7 - Insured's Address
• HCFA-1500 Box 8 - Reserved For NUCC Use
• HCFA-1500 Box 9 - Other Insured's Name
• HCFA-1500 Box 9a - Other Insured's Policy or Group Number
• HCFA-1500 Box 9b - Reserved For NUCC Use
• HCFA-1500 Box 9c - Reserved For NUCC Use
• HCFA-1500 Box 9d - Insurance Plan Name or Program Name
• HCFA-1500 Box 10 - Is Patient's Condition Related To
• HCFA-1500 Box 10d - Claim Codes
• HCFA-1500 Box 11 - Insured's Policy Group or FECA Number
• HCFA-1500 Box 11a - Insured's Date of Birth and Sex
• HCFA-1500 Box 11b - Other Claim ID
• HCFA-1500 Box 11c - Insurance Plan Name or Program Name
• HCFA-1500 Box 11d - Is There Another Health Plan
• HCFA-1500 Box 12 - Patient's or Authorized Person's Signature
• HCFA-1500 Box 13 - Insured's or Authorized Person's Signature
• HCFA-1500 Box 14 - Date of Current Illness, Injury, Pregnancy (LMP)
• HCFA-1500 Box 15 - Other Date
• HCFA-1500 Box 16 - Dates Patient Unable to Work in Current Occupation
• HCFA-1500 Box 17 - Name of Referring Provider or Other Source
• HCFA-1500 Box 17a - Other ID
• HCFA-1500 Box 17b - NPI
• HCFA-1500 Box 18 - Hospitalization Dates Related to Current Services
• HCFA-1500 Box 19 - Additional Claim Information
• HCFA-1500 Box 20 - Outside Lab Charges
• HCFA-1500 Box 21 - Diagnosis or Nature of Illness or Injury
• HCFA-1500 Box 22 - Resubmission Code and Original Reference Number
• HCFA-1500 Box 23 - Prior Authorization Number
• HCFA-1500 Box 24a - Date(s) of Service
• HCFA-1500 Box 24b - Place of Service
• HCFA-1500 Box 24c - EMG
• HCFA-1500 Box 24d - Procedures, Services, or Supplies
• HCFA-1500 Box 24e - Diagnosis Pointer
• HCFA-1500 Box 24f - Charges
• HCFA-1500 Box 24g - Days or Units
• HCFA-1500 Box 24h - EPSDT/Family Plan
• HCFA-1500 Box 24i - Rendering Provider ID Qualifier
• HCFA-1500 Box 24j - Rendering Provider ID
• HCFA-1500 Box 25 - Federal Tax ID Number
• HCFA-1500 Box 26 - Patient's Account No.
• HCFA-1500 Box 27 - Accept Assignment
• HCFA-1500 Box 28 - Total Charge
• HCFA-1500 Box 29 - Amount Paid
• HCFA-1500 Box 30 - Rsvd for NUCC Use
• HCFA-1500 Box 31 - Signature of Physician or Supplier Including Degrees or Credentials [You are Here]
• HCFA-1500 Box 32 - Service Facility Location Information

Grab a sample of the HCFA-1500 claim form here - HCFA 02/12 Claim Form