If there is no referring physician, how should Box 17b be completed?

When there is no referring physician, the appropriate course of action for completing Box 17b is to leave it blank. Box 17b is specifically designed to capture the name of the referring physician, and if none is applicable, it should not be filled in with irrelevant information or made up details. Leaving it blank indicates that no referrals were made, maintaining the accuracy and integrity of the claim submission.

Using insurance details, the patient’s name, or a "SIGNATURE ON FILE" statement in this box would not align with the purpose of that field and could potentially complicate the processing of the claim, leading to confusion or delays. Thus, leaving Box 17b blank is the correct procedure when there is no referring physician involved.