Reference 0012
Claim Identifier Map
A quick reference for separating app claim IDs, patient control numbers, clearinghouse IDs, payer claim control numbers, and service-line identifiers.
Use this before designing claim status, remittance, replacement, or cancellation workflows.
Identifier Lanes
| Lane | Identifier | Source | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| APP | Internal claim ID | Your app | Database joins, permissions, audit trail. |
| PCN | Patient Control Number | Submitter | Claim-level correlation across submission, 277CA, and 835 ERA. |
| CHID | Correlation ID, transaction ID, file execution ID | Clearinghouse or API vendor | Vendor retrieval, events, webhooks, timeline lookup. |
| PCCN | Payer Claim Control Number | Payer | Reference a claim inside payer adjudication and some replacement or cancellation workflows. |
| LINE | Line Item Control Number | Submitter | Service-line error and payment correlation. |
Storage Rule
One claim can have many identifiers. Keep identifiers typed by assigning system, transaction source, level, and purpose instead of overwriting a single claim_id.
Fast Triage
| Question | Lane |
|---|---|
| Is this only for your database? | APP |
| Did the submitter create it to identify the claim to downstream responses? | PCN |
| Did the clearinghouse or API vendor create it for retrieval or events? | CHID |
| Did the payer create it after the claim entered the payer system? | PCCN |
| Does it identify a service line rather than the whole claim? | LINE |
Source Anchors
- Stedi Resubmit or Cancel Claims distinguishes Patient Control Number, Payer Claim Control Number, claim frequency code, and payer-specific resubmission requirements.
- Stedi Get, Correlate, and Interpret 277CAs and ERAs maps claim-level and service-line identifiers across submitted claims, 277CAs, and 835 ERAs.
- CMS Claim Status Request and Response describes 276/277 status workflows and automated posting of status information.
- CMS Health Care Payment and Remittance Advice describes remittance details used to associate adjudication decisions with submitted claims and lines.