Electronic data interchange (EDI)

Empire BlueCross BlueShield HealthPlus (Empire) uses Availity* as its exclusive partner for managing all electronic data interchange (EDI) transactions. EDI, including electronic remittance advices (ERAs) and electronic funds transfers (EFTs), allows for a faster, more efficient and cost-effective way for providers and employers to do business.

EDI lets you: 

• Process claims faster by submitting coordination of benefits electronically and fixing errors early with in-system notification and correction.
• Reduce overhead and administrative costs by eliminating paper claim submissions.
• Speed up enrollment and payment for employer groups benefits.
• Upload files through file transfer protocol (FTP) or directly in Availity as a batch or single claim submission.

For Empire in Availity, you can complete the following HIPAA transactions: 

• Healthcare claim: professional (837P)
• Healthcare claim: institutional (837I)
• Healthcare claim: dental (837D)
• Healthcare eligibility benefit inquiry and response (270/271)
• Healthcare services review and response (278) 
• Healthcare services inquiry and response (278) 
• Healthcare claim payment/advice (835)
• Healthcare claim status request and response (276/277)
• Medical attachments (275)

Ways you can use EDI with Availity

Availity’s EDI clearinghouse options

1. EDI clearinghouse for direct submitters:
   • For organizations with fewer than 10,000 monthly transactions.
   • Submit batch files through the portal or Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) using third-party software such as billing software.
2. EDI clearinghouse for high-volume trading partners
3. Or, use your existing clearinghouse vendor:
   • Work with your vendor to ensure connection with the Availity EDI Gateway.

Already have an Availity login but want to submit EDI transactions?

1. Log into Availity. 
2. Choose My Providers then select Enrollments Center then select Transaction Enrollment.
3. Follow the steps to enroll as a trading partner.

New to Availity and want to submit EDI transactions?

1. Visit www.availity.com and select Register. 
2. Select your organization type and complete the registration process. 
3. Check your email to verify your account.
4. Once your account is verified, agree to the disclaimer, set up your security questions and change your password.
5. Set up any authorized users.

Payer ID

Payer IDs route EDI transactions to the appropriate payer.

Empire payer name and ID:

• Your Payer Name is Empire BlueCross BlueShield HealthPlus.
• Your Payer ID is 27514.
• Note: If you use a billing company or clearinghouse for your EDI transmissions, please work with them on which payer ID they want you to use.