The X12 270 is the HIPAA-standard electronic eligibility inquiry a provider sends to a payer. The 271 is the payer's response, which states whether coverage is active and often includes benefit details such as copays, deductibles and coinsurance.
Real-time 270/271 checks let a front desk verify coverage in seconds instead of calling the payer, though some benefits still need a call or portal lookup.
Related terms
- Eligibility verification
- Confirming a patient's insurance is active and what it covers before the visit.
- Clearinghouse
- A company that checks and routes electronic claims between providers and payers.
- 837 (electronic claim)
- The HIPAA-standard electronic format for submitting healthcare claims.