What is Anthem / Elevance Health's timely filing limit for initial claims?

Anthem / Elevance Health enforces an initial claim timely filing deadline of 90 to 180 calendar days from Date of Service (varies by state contract).

How many days do you have to appeal a denial with Anthem / Elevance Health?

Appeals and payment disputes with Anthem / Elevance Health must be filed within 180 calendar days from initial denial notice.

What is the secondary claim timely filing limit for Anthem / Elevance Health?

Secondary claims for Anthem / Elevance Health must be submitted within 90 days from primary remittance date.

Anthem Commercial / Medicaid / Medicare 90 Days Limit

Anthem / Elevance Health Timely Filing Limit & Appeal Deadlines

Official filing rules, submission windows, appeal timeframes, and acceptable electronic clearinghouse proof for billing Anthem / Elevance Health.

Initial Claim Limit

90 Days from DOS

Secondary Claim Limit

90 Days from EOB

Level 1 Appeal Limit

180 Days

Level 2 Dispute Limit

60 Days

1. Initial Claim Submission Deadline

90 to 180 calendar days from Date of Service (varies by state contract)

Clean electronic 837P or 837I claims must be received and acknowledged by Anthem / Elevance Health within this window. If a claim is rejected on front-end clearinghouse validation (Level 2), it is not considered received by Anthem / Elevance Health until corrected and successfully re-transmitted.

2. Specific Filing Rules for Anthem

Network contracts generally mandate 90 calendar days for professional claims.

Hospital facility agreements may provide 180 days.

Appeals require complete medical records and billing dispute form within 180 days.

3. Accepted Proof of Timely Filing

Official Proof Required by Anthem

Availity 277CA acceptance report with Anthem Payer ID or electronic clearinghouse confirmation.

Important: Screenshots from your internal billing software or electronic health record (EHR) showing the date a claim was created are not accepted by Anthem as proof of submission. You must supply clearinghouse 277CA acceptance reports.

4. Appeal Letter Template for Anthem

Use this standardized appeal letter to overturn a CO-29 timely filing denial when you have verifiable clearinghouse proof:

RE: Timely Filing Denial Appeal (CO-29)
Payer: Anthem / Elevance Health
Patient Name: [Patient Name] | Member ID: [Member ID]
Date of Service: [Date of Service] | Claim ID: [Claim Number]
Billed Charges: $[Billed Amount]

Dear Appeals Coordinator,

We are submitting this formal appeal in response to the timely filing denial (CO-29) issued on the Explanation of Benefits dated [Remittance Date]. Under our participating agreement with Anthem / Elevance Health, the timely filing limit is 90 calendar days from the date of service.

The original claim was electronically transmitted and received prior to the timely filing limit expiration. Enclosed please find Exhibit A: The clearinghouse Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) 277CA Claims Acknowledgment Report confirming successful gateway acceptance on [Date of Initial EDI Transmission] with Payer Claim Control Number [ICN / CCN].

Because this documentation constitutes conclusive objective proof of timely electronic submission, we respectfully request that the claim be reprocessed and approved for reimbursement.

Sincerely,
[Billing Manager / Practice Representative]
[Practice Name]
[Phone Number]