California has two Blue companies, and they are not the same. Anthem Blue Cross (Blue Cross of California) is part of Elevance Health. Blue Shield of California is a separate nonprofit. Check the member's ID card for the name before you submit. Open the section for the company on the card.
Checked 10/1/26.
Anthem Blue Cross (Blue Cross of California)
Anthem Blue Cross is the Blue Cross licensee in California, and it is not Blue Shield of California. Its legal entity is Blue Cross of California. The provider site is anthem.com/ca/provider.
| Provider Services | 800-676-BLUE (2583) (contact us) |
|---|---|
| Claims route | Availity EDI Gateway. Payer ID comes from the Availity payer list |
| Paper claims (general and professional) | Anthem, c/o Exela Technologies, PO Box 60007, Los Angeles, CA 90060-0007 (CA Quick Contact Guide) |
| Disputes | Provider Dispute Resolution form at anthem.com/ca/provider. Grievances and Appeals Department, PO Box 60007, Los Angeles, CA 90060-0007 (CA contact guide) |
| Behavioral health and ABA utilization management | 800-274-7767 (Quick Contact Guide) |
| Credentialing | Availity digital enrollment |
| Timely filing | 90 days from the date of service for professional claims, Anthem Blue Cross, effective 10/1/2019 (Anthem notice). California law sets its own notice and appeal rules (CMA summary). Your contract controls |
| Regulators | California Department of Insurance; HMO products: Department of Managed Health Care |
Private payer: behavioral health. Anthem Blue Cross handles commercial behavioral health and ABA utilization management in the Quick Contact Guide. Carelon Behavioral Health's California page covers Medi-Cal, CYBHI and ABA programs, not commercial Anthem Blue Cross (Carelon California).
Blue Shield of California
Blue Shield of California is a nonprofit and is separate from Anthem Blue Cross. Its legal name is California Physicians' Service, doing business as Blue Shield of California (provider agreement). The agreement describes it as "an independent member of the Blue Shield Association." Check the member's ID card for the name.
| Blue company | Blue Shield of California; related: Blue Shield of California Promise Health Plan, Blue Shield Life & Health Insurance Company |
|---|---|
| Claims route | Approved clearinghouse or Provider Connection. Blue Shield's guide does not list a payer ID (reference guide) |
| EDI Help Desk | (800) 480-1221 |
| Paper claims (all other Blue Shield plans) | Blue Shield of California, PO Box 272540, Chico, CA 95927-2540. Use the Claims Routing Tool: BlueCard PO Box 272630, Promise PO Box 272660, Medicare Advantage PO Box 272640 |
| Timely filing | Within 12 months of the date of service, unless the contract says otherwise (Section 4, Feb 2024) |
| Initial provider appeals | Within 365 days (or the contract time, whichever is greater). Blue Shield Initial Appeal Resolution Office, PO Box 272620, Chico, CA 95927-2620 |
| Provider Services | (800) 541-6652 |
| Behavioral health line | (877) 263-9952 |
| State regulator | California Department of Insurance |
Private payer: behavioral health. Blue Shield took over behavioral health management in-house for about 1.8 million members on January 1, 2026, from Human Affairs International of California (Magellan). Bill Magellan for 2025 dates of service and Blue Shield for dates on or after 1/1/2026 (behavioral health FAQ, December 2025). Authorization is not required for emergency services, initial assessments, outpatient therapy or medication management. It is required for acute care, residential, partial hospitalization, intensive outpatient, ABA, ECT, neuropsychological testing and TMS.
Private payer: credentialing. Direct contracts use the California Participating Practitioner Application. Behavioral health providers email (join the behavioral health network).
Frequently asked questions
Are Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California the same company?
No. They are separate companies with separate claims boxes, filing rules and behavioral health arrangements.
How long do I have to file with Anthem Blue Cross?
Anthem announced a 90-day limit for professional claims effective 10/1/2019. Read your contract.
How long do I have to file with Blue Shield of California?
Within 12 months of the date of service, unless the contract says otherwise.
Do therapists need authorization for outpatient sessions at Blue Shield?
Not for outpatient therapy or medication management, per Blue Shield's December 2025 behavioral health FAQ.
How MCM South helps with Blue Cross California
MCM South bills Blue plans for psychotherapists and psychiatrists in the states we serve. We verify benefits, submit claims electronically, follow up on denials and appeals, and handle credentialing. Get a free quote. If a Blue Cross California claim is denied or credentialing stalls, we follow up for you.
MCM South currently serves practices in GA, MA, CT, TX, FL, NY, CO, TN, NC and IL, and has worked in all 50 states. If your state is not on that list, ask us. This page is operational guidance for billing, not legal advice. For real financial or legal exposure, talk to your attorney or compliance officer.
Related: Blue Cross by State · How Blue Cross Blue Shield Works · Billing Terms Glossary · CPT and E/M Code Guide · Who We Serve.
This is the MCM South guide to Blue Cross California for therapists and psychiatrists: where claims go, how appeals work, and what to check first.
Want a billing team that handles this for you? MCM South bills for psychotherapists and psychiatrists. Get a free quote.