Build an X12 276 claim status inquiry and interpret every status category returned in the 277 response

Steps

1. Assemble the 276 transaction: ISA/GS envelope, ST*276 segment, BHT segment with purpose code '13' (status request), Loop 2000A/2000B payer and submitter loops, Loop 2000D/2200D service provider and claim level loops with patient control number and total claim charge
2. Include the original claim's ICN or payer claim number in REF segments (REF*1K for payer claim number) to allow the payer to locate the specific claim
3. Submit via your clearinghouse API or SFTP batch path; for real-time 276, use a clearinghouse that exposes a synchronous endpoint and check the response immediately
4. In the 277 response, locate STC segments in Loop 2200D: STC01-1 is the health care claim status category code, STC01-2 is the claim status code; reference the X12 277 code set to classify (e.g., category A1 = acknowledged, F0 = finalized/paid)
5. If STC01-1 begins with 'P' (pending) record the date in STC03 and schedule a re-inquiry; if 'F' (finalized) pull the adjudication detail and reconcile against your AR
6. Capture TRN segments to correlate the 277 response back to the original 276 inquiry for audit trail