Electronic options are available!
BCBSIL providers who receive paper checks and Provider Claim Summaries (PCSs) via the U.S. Mail may wish to consider the electronic alternatives listed below for greater efficiency, convenience and security of information.
Advantages of enrolling for Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT), Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) and Electronic Payment Summary (EPS):
- No more lost or stolen checks
- Quicker access to your funds
- Increased security of information
- Less time spent on claims tracking
- Expedited patient account reconciliation
- Easier retrieval of archived data
Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
EFT is a direct deposit of your claim payment from BCBSIL to your designated bank account.
To enroll online for EFT, you must be a registered Availity® Provider Portal user – there is no cost to register at availity.com 
Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA)
The ERA or ANSI 835 transaction is a HIPAA-compliant method of receiving claim payment and remittance details. The ERA can be automatically posted to your patient accounting system.
You should also check with your billing service, clearinghouse or software vendor to confirm ERA-compatibility and availability of auto-posting software.
- Enroll online via the Availity Portal
- An online remittance viewer tool is available via the Availity Portal to providers and billing services to search, view, save and print remittance information, even if the ERA is delivered to an appointed receiver.
Out-of-state provider notification: You should specifically contact your local Blue Cross and Blue Shield (BCBS) Plan for 835 ERA enrollment. If an existing enrollment is already on file with the local BCBS Plan, then ERA files for services provided to BCBSIL members will be transmitted electronically to you under the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association’s BlueCard® program. Providers requesting to receive ERAs for Medicare Secondary Crossover claims should also make that request with their local BCBS Plan. For ERA enrollment instructions and/or other inquiries regarding ERA processing, please contact your local BCBS plan.
Electronic Payment Summary (EPS)
When you enroll for the ERA, you are automatically enrolled for the EPS, which is an electronic version of the paper PCS.
- The EPS arrives faster than the PCS and is easier to archive for future retrieval.
- You must enroll for the ERA in order to receive the EPS.
Companion Guides
Companion Guides are available with further details on these transactions:
Online Enrollment Assistance
Learn how to enroll online for EFT and ERA transactions by referring to the Availity EFT & ERA Enrollment User Guide.
Questions?
- Email Electronic Commerce Services
- Visit the Webinars and Workshops page for dates and times of upcoming trainings on the remittance viewer and other electronic options
Availity is a trademark of Availity, LLC, a separate company that operates a health information network to provide electronic information exchange services to medical professionals. Availity provides administrative services to BCBSIL. BCBSIL makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding third party vendors and the products and services they offer.