Top 75 Insurance Payers & Clearinghouses Every Medical Biller Should Know (2025 Directory)

If you want zero-guesswork billing in 2025, your edge is knowing which payers and clearinghouses move money fastest—and how to work each one with ruthless precision. Build your playbook with proven tactics from denials prevention, documentation integrity, CARC mastery, HIPAA compliance, and full-stack RCM execution. Level up your team with educators’ AMA strategies, targeted study tactics, and platform-smart software selection.

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1) The 2025 map: what we mean by “payers” and “clearinghouses” (and why it prints money)

Payers span national commercial plans (UHC, Aetna, Cigna, Elevance/BCBS), Medicare, Medicaid MCOs, FEHB plans like GEHA, TRICARE/VA, regional health plans, workers’ comp administrators, and TPAs (UMR, Meritain, HealthSmart). Mastery here reduces touches, trims DNFB, and tightens your claims submission sequence. It also shrinks adjustments when your appeal letters cite the right CARC/RARC logic and your notes follow clinical documentation rules.

Clearinghouses are your traffic controllers—rejection feedback loops, ERA/EFT orchestration, payer-specific edits, eligibility, and attachments. The right hub pairs beautifully with your billing software stack and your downstream payment posting workflow. Tie that to rock-solid audit readiness and you’ll see first-pass yield lift quickly.

Multi-state teams should keep a credentialing/proficiency board that tracks payer-specific rules alongside coder licensure and state education requirements—start with state-by-state primers like California certification, Florida certification, Colorado certification, and Georgia certification, then scale across Illinois, Indiana, and Maryland as you hire.

If your scope includes telemedicine, IR, or bariatrics, cross-walk payer policies to our specialty coders’ maps for telehealth, interventional radiology, and bariatric surgery coding. For quality incentives, keep a MACRA cheat sheet from our QPP guide.

2) How to use this directory (selection criteria + quick wins)

We prioritized: (1) network scale and claim volume, (2) portal & EFT maturity, (3) ERA granularity, (4) denial/appeals transparency, (5) EDI reliability, and (6) billing-team feedback (from LinkedIn leadership Q&A, Reddit AMA lessons, and our RCM masterclass). Keep this article open next to your payer matrix, plug gaps with our software selection tips, and tighten your rejection ladder using the denials playbook.

Quick wins you can implement today

Top 75 Insurance Payers & Clearinghouses (2025 Directory)
# Type Organization Primary Portal / EDI What To Know (ERA/EFT • Edits • Tips)
1PayerMedicare (FFS)MAC portals; HETS; EDI via multiple hubsStrict NCD/LCD & MUEs; enroll EFT/ERA; watch sequestration & modifier rules.
2PayerMedicaid (State Programs)State portals; MCO carve-outsEligibility nuances; prior auth intensity; confirm MCO vs FFS routing.
3PayerUnitedHealthcareUHC Provider Portal; Optum EDINav for PA & appeals; verify place-of-service & telehealth modifiers.
4PayerAetna (CVS Health)Availity; Aetna portalERA granularity strong; manage bundling logic on surgical episodes.
5PayerCigna HealthcareAvaility; Cigna portalCheck site-of-service policies; appeals windows tight.
6PayerElevance Health (Anthem BCBS)AvailityBCBS plan-by-plan differences; use payer-specific payer IDs.
7PayerHumanaAvaility; Humana portalStrong MA footprint; risk-adjustment coding affects audits.
8PayerKaiser PermanenteKaiser portalsClosed network processes; confirm referral/authorization pathways.
9PayerCentene / Ambetter / WellCareAvaility; payer portalsState-specific edits; MCO PA is pivotal for first-pass success.
10PayerMolina HealthcareAvaility; Molina portalCheck Medicaid-to-MA crossover; tight auth on imaging.
11PayerHCSC (BCBS IL/TX/OK/NM/MT)AvailityPlan differences across states; payer ID precision required.
12PayerFlorida Blue (BCBS FL)AvailityLocal LCDs for specialties; manage inpatient auth transitions.
13PayerBlue Shield of CaliforniaAvaility; BSC portalDistinct from Anthem CA; verify payer IDs carefully.
14PayerRegence / AsurisAvailityNorthwest rules; verify OON benefits for telehealth.
15PayerPremera Blue CrossAvailityAlaska/Washington specifics; mental health carve-outs.
16PayerHighmarkAvailityPennsylvania/WV footprint; HMO vs PPO edits differ.
17PayerIndependence Blue CrossAvailityPhiladelphia region; monitor experimental procedure policies.
18PayerEmblemHealth / GHIEmblem portalNew York authorizations; behavioral health vendor carve-outs.
19PayerFidelis Care (NY)Availity; Fidelis portalMedicaid/Marketplace rules; attach notes for complex cases.
20PayerOscar HealthOscar portalYounger network; verify referrals; telehealth benefits vary.
21PayerTufts / Point32HealthTufts portalMA & commercial lines; strict PA for imaging/surgeries.
22PayerHarvard Pilgrim / Point32HealthHPI portalNew England focus; check telehealth parity.
23PayerUPMC Health PlanUPMC portalPA network alignment crucial; inpatient authorization nuances.
24PayerPriority Health (MI)Priority portalMA & commercial; verify tiering for specialty services.
25PayerGeisinger Health PlanGHP portalRegional policies; inpatient-to-observation edits.
26PayerTRICARE (Humana/Health Net/Express Scripts)Regional portalsRegion-specific rules; referral/PA rigor high.
27PayerVA Community Care NetworkOptum/Anthem adminsAuthorization routing critical; attach records promptly.
28PayerRailroad MedicarePalmetto GBASpecialized edits; distinct from Part B locality rules.
29PayerGEHA (FEHB)GEHA portalFederal employee benefit nuances; check OON reimbursement.
30PayerMeritain Health (Aetna TPA)Meritain portalSelf-funded plan rules vary by employer; verify benefits.
31PayerUMR (UHC TPA)UMR portalEmployer-specific carve-outs; check prior auth matrix.
32PayerAllied Benefit SystemsAllied portalSelf-funded variability; appeal with plan document cites.
33PayerHealthSmartHealthSmart portalNetwork vs repricing arrangements; verify payer ID.
34PayerWebTPAWebTPA portalSelf-funded; ensure coordination with stop-loss rules.
35PayerPEHP (Utah)PEHP portalState plan requirements; check referral rules.
36PayerMedCostMedCost portalRegional network; verify repricing entities.
37PayerWorkers’ Comp—State FundsState portalsAttach clinical notes & work status; slower adjudication.
38PayerSedgwick (Workers’ Comp)Sedgwick portalTPA for many employers; documentation completeness key.
39PayerCorVel (Workers’ Comp)CorVel portalBill review rigor; CPT/fee schedule precision required.
40ClearinghouseAvailityPortal + EDIDominant for BCBS/Aetna/Cigna; rich eligibility & auth tools.
41ClearinghouseWaystarEDI + analyticsRobust claim edits, ERA automation, patient estimation.
42ClearinghouseChange Healthcare (Optum)EDI NetworkMassive connectivity; check latest payer IDs post-mergers.
43ClearinghouseCognizant TriZettoEDI + payer rulesPowerful edit libraries; watch companion guides per payer.
44ClearinghouseThe SSI GroupClaims & attachmentsHospital-friendly tools; UB-04 optimization.
45ClearinghouseExperian HealthEDI + eligibilityStrong coverage discovery & propensity models.
46ClearinghouseOffice AllyEDI + Payer PortalPopular with small practices; broad basic connectivity.
47ClearinghouseClaim.MDEDI portalQuick enrollment; transparent rejections; good for startups.
48ClearinghouseSmart Data SolutionsEDI + mailroomAttachments & paper-to-digital acceleration.
49ClearinghouseOptum iEDIEDIDeep payer ties; ensure companion guides are current.
50ClearinghouseRelay ExchangeEDILarge legacy network; confirm payer mapping updates.
51ClearinghouseTruBridgeEDI + rural focusCritical access hospital strengths; UB clean-up.
52ClearinghouseeSolutions (now Waystar)EDIMedicare crossover expertise; hospice/HHA tools.
53ClearinghouseQuadaxEDI + ARLab/diagnostic strength; denial analytics.
54ClearinghouseNaviNetPortalPayer collaboration; eligibility & messaging.
55ClearinghouseGHX eCommerce (EDI)EDI / remitsSome payer pipes; verify payer list for claims.
56ClearinghousePracticeSuite ClearinghouseEmbedded EDIAligned to PMS; confirm payer enrollments.
57ClearinghousePlexis Healthcare SystemsEDIPayer/TPA platform; niche connectivity.
58ClearinghousePractice Insight (eMDs)EDIIndependent practice fit; watch payer IDs.
59ClearinghouseJopari (Attachments/WC)eBill + attachmentsWorkers’ comp strengths; state eBill compliance.
60ClearinghouseTrizetto ERAs (Cognizant)ERA/EFTERA normalization; auto-posting configs.
61PayerHealth NetHealth Net portalCA focus; check CMG participation & auth.
62PayerCDPHPCDPHP portalNY plan; keep PA matrix handy.
63PayerEmory Healthcare PlanPortalEmployer plan rules vary; confirm benefits.
64PayerScott & White Health PlanSWHP portalCentral Texas; referrals matter.
65PayerBlue Cross NCAvailityLocal policies; check imaging auth vendor.
66PayerBlue Cross MAAvaility/NaviNetParity on telehealth; reimbursement schedules vary.
67PayerPrevea360 / QuartzQuartz portalWI/IA footprint; prior auth vigilance.
68PayerBanner|AetnaAvailityArizona network; double-check payer ID.
69PayerIntermountain Health Plan (SelectHealth)SelectHealth portalMountain West rules; tiering/PA strict.
70PayerPriority Partners (MD Medicaid MCO)PortalMCO rules; attach medical necessity quickly.
71PayerAmeriHealth CaritasPortalSeveral state MCOs; frequent policy bulletins.
72PayerPresbyterian Health Plan (NM)PHP portalRegional edits; verify networks for specialties.
73PayerSummaCareSumma portalOhio regional; check radiology auth vendor.
74PayerHAP (MI)HAP portalDetroit metro; MA policies prominent.
75PayerWellmark BCBS (IA/SD)AvailityRegional fee schedules; check telehealth parity rules.

3) Playbook: crushing first-pass yield with payer-specific habits

Start by standardizing enrollment—ERA/EFT + portal access—for your top-20 volume payers. Assign an owner for each payer, maintain a “what changed” log, and update edits every Friday. Anchor your routines to the claims submission process and map your most common CARC denial reasons to concrete fixes. Then, pressure-test documentation with our CDI checklist before you hit “submit.”

Fast wins across big payers

  • UHC/UMR: Verify site-of-service and add PA proofs to avoid medical necessity denials; use Optum eligibility and build automation with your software stack.

  • Aetna/Meritain: Watch surgical bundling; attach op notes proactively and monitor short appeal windows using our denial management guide.

  • Cigna: Scrub POS/telehealth logic; embed modifier cheat sheets from the telemedicine coding playbook.

  • BCBS plans (Elevance/HCSC/Wellmark/Regence): Payer ID precision is everything. Version your edits at the plan level and document variances in a shared workbook; refresh training with our educators AMA.

  • Medicare/Railroad: Track NCD/LCD updates; run pre-bill audits guided by coding audits best practices; route complex cases (IR/trauma) via our IR and trauma maps.

Clearinghouse tactics that pay off

  • Turn on claim attachment workflows (esp. imaging/surgical) and enforce zero manual faxing; this alone accelerates payment posting—then use our payment posting guide to auto-post remits cleanly.

  • Normalize ERA reason codes and build a mini “reasons → actions” library mapped to CARC logic.

  • For denials focused practices (ED/ASC/orthopedics), implement our denials prevention blueprint and add payer-specific pre-auth checklists.

4) Denials, AR, and audit defense—make rejections a rounding error

Pre-submission controls are everything: demographics verification, eligibility (with COB), PA proofs, medical necessity, LCD policy checks, and specialty modifiers. Build your guardrails from our RCM master guide and hard-code them into your software rules engine. Align your team’s weekly cadence:

For telehealth/ASC/IR high-variance edits, pre-route tricky encounters to senior coders and cross-check our telemedicine rules, ASC denial control, and bariatric episode coding. To reduce rework, improve intake scripting with insights from our LinkedIn billing leader Q&A.

Which payer or clearinghouse slows your reimbursements most?

Your feedback guides our next deep-dive. Keep our [denials guide](https://ambci.org/medical-billing-and-coding-certification-blog/comprehensive-guide-to-denials-prevention-and-management) handy.


5) Remote teams, multistate payers, and career leverage

Modern billing teams are hybrid, remote, and national. That means different payer rules, varied Medicaid MCOs, and unique credentialing steps. Use state certification pages to build onboarding tracks for new hires: Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, and Mississippi. Create a “payers by state” matrix and link your top five per state to internal SOPs.

To accelerate careers and recruiting, study our guides to remote roles (use as placeholder), real-world wisdom from Reddit AMAs, and leadership insights from the LinkedIn billing landscape Q&A. For coders targeting high-acuity settings, sharpen with our complex trauma coding and IR billing primers, then keep compliance tight with HIPAA essentials.

Finally, stitch your tech stack to your payer network. If your PMS/EMR bundles billing features, compare them using our software solutions guide and build payer-specific worklists. Add ERA auto-post rules and reconciliation tasks anchored to the payment posting roadmap and you’ll feel AR days sliding down fast.

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6) FAQs (detailed and practical)

  • Start with your top-20 payers by claim volume and high-variance denial sources (usually MA/MCO lines). For each, enroll ERA/EFT, confirm payer IDs in your clearinghouse, and update your SOPs. Use our claims submission guide to re-map workflows, then route all rejections to a same-day queue guided by the denials blueprint.

  • Turn on claim-level attachments, normalize ERA reason codes, and enable payer-specific edit packs. Build a mini library mapping CARC/RARC to fixes using our CARC explainer. Then integrate auto-posting and reconciliation using the payment posting playbook.

  • Implement a PA proof checklist at scheduling and a medical necessity gate in coding. For high-risk lines (imaging, surgeries, telehealth), cross-reference payer policies and plug our telemedicine coding rules and CDI guidelines. Audit weekly using the coding audit framework.

  • Medicaid and local BCBS policies. Build state folders with top payers, MCOs, payer IDs, auth vendors, and fee schedules. Use our state certification pages—start with California, Florida, Illinois, and Maryland—to create onboarding checklists and speed credentialing.

  • A reliable clearinghouse, a PMS/EMR with solid claim edits, eligibility + auth automation, and tight payment posting. Start with our software guide, then operationalize day-to-day using the RCM master guide and denial prevention playbook.

  • Bake quality into the workflow: a light-touch pre-bill CDI check, weekly audit samples by payer/specialty, and quarterly refreshers based on our audit guide and documentation essentials. Use payer-specific appeal templates and track overturn rates by reason to guide training.

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