Beginning January 1, 2024, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield will become Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem), and Empire Blue Cross will become Anthem Blue Cross (Anthem).
There is no action for our care providers. There will be no changes to your agreements or contract, reimbursement, or level of support — now or in the future — because of our new name. For members, this evolution to Anthem will not cause any reduction to coverage or access to care. We look forward to continuing to provide our members with the strong medical coverage and healthcare assistance they expect and deserve.
Ensure our members are equipped to renew their Medicaid benefits
Help our members prepare to renew their Medicaid healthcare coverage and benefits by educating them on what documents are needed to ensure their renewal form is completed accurately. Members can submit their renewal form via web (preferred), phone, fax, mail, or in person.
For questions about eligibility, benefits, authorizations, claims status, and more; log in to
Availity Essentials*
and select Chat with Payer. For additional support, please use the following resources or
contact us
if more clarification is needed.
At the end of 2022, Office of the Medicaid Inspector General (OMIG) issued final regulations that repeal and add a new New York Codes, Rules, and Regulations (NYCRR) amendment to implement changes to:
Provider compliance programs
Medicaid Managed Care plan fraud, waste and abuse (FWA) prevention programs under the Medicaid program
The obligation to report, return and explain Medicaid overpayments through OMIG’s Self-Disclosure Program
This amendment took effect on December 28, 2022, with enforcement of the requirements beginning March 28, 2023.
To participate in and receive payment from the Medicaid program, providers must:
Submit a copy of their Certification Statement for Provider Billing Medicaid (ETIN) form to each Managed Care Plan (MMCO) for which they are a participating provider with the MMCO and each year after
For more detailed information, please visit the Compliance page of the New York State Office of the Medicaid Inspector General
Join our network!
Interested in joining our provider network? We look forward to working with you to provide quality services to our members.
COVID-19 information
Empire BlueCross BlueShield HealthPlus is closely monitoring COVID-19 developments and how the novel coronavirus will impact our customers and provider partners.
Vaccine Resources
Vaccination is important in fighting against infectious diseases. Keep patients healthy and safe by becoming familiar with the tools and strategies useful in protecting yourself and patients against contagious illnesses.
Availity access
The Availity Portal* offers healthcare professionals free access to real-time information and instant responses in a consistent format regardless of the payer.
At Availity, you can:
Request authorizations.
Submit claims.
Confirm eligibility.
Learning opportunities
Find learning opportunities to assist with administering your patient’s health plan using Availity Essentials multi-payer features and payer spaces applications. Use the library of self-paced courses and instructor-led training sessions, available 24/7 at no cost. Be prepared with the knowledge to assist our members.
Empire is now sending some bulletins, policy change notifications, prior authorization update information, educational opportunities and more to providers via email.
Provider News is your source for important news and announcements, including policy updates, prior authorization changes, new product and program offerings, and more.
When it comes to our pregnant members, we are committed to keeping both mom and baby healthy. That’s why we encourage all our moms-to-be to take part in our New Baby, New LifeSM program, which is a comprehensive, proactive case management and care coordination program for all expectant mothers and their newborns.
We work collaboratively with hospitals, group practices and independent behavioral healthcare providers, community and government agencies, human service districts, and other resources. This enables Empire to meet the needs of members with mental health and substance use disorders as well as those with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
