Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota uses payer ID 00720 for commercial and Medicare claims and 00726 for Minnesota Health Care Programs (MHCP) (provider toolkit). Blue Plus is the affiliated plan name.
Checked 10/1/26.
Quick facts
| Blue company | Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota and Blue Plus |
|---|---|
| Electronic payer IDs | 00720 commercial and Medicare; 00726 MHCP |
| Claims | Must be filed electronically, through a clearinghouse or Availity Essentials (provider toolkit) |
| Timely filing | 180 days, all lines of business, effective 2/1/2023 (Blue Cross notice P74-22) |
| Appeals | First level within 90 days of the remittance date; second level within 60 days of the first-level denial; all products except FEP (notice QP25-24) |
| Provider services (commercial and Medicare) | 651-662-5200 or 1-800-262-0820, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central (contact us) |
| Provider services (MHCP) | 1-866-518-8448 |
| BlueCard eligibility | 1-800-676-BLUE (2583) |
| Provider site | bluecrossmn.com/providers |
| State regulator | Minnesota Department of Commerce |
Private payer: paper claims
If you cannot file electronically, use the box for your line of business on the plan's contact page and in the provider toolkit. The two pages list different El Paso and St. Paul boxes, so use the one that matches the member's product and the ID card.
State programs
MHCP claims use payer ID 00726 and a separate phone line. Check the state's MHCP rules for eligibility and billing.
What to do Monday morning with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota claims
- File electronically. Minnesota Blue does not accept paper claims. Send attachments by fax with the cover sheet.
- The filing window is 180 days for all lines of business (bulletin P74-22, effective 2/1/23). Provider appeals are due within 90 days.
- Call 1-800-262-0820 for the commercial provider line.
- Behavioral health is a managed specialty. Contract requests are reviewed but may not be approved, so apply before you plan to see members.
- A 2024 Attorney General settlement, running through 12/31/28, commits Blue Cross to decide at least 95% of standard behavioral health prior authorizations within five business days. Blue Cross disputes the preliminary finding.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Blue Cross Minnesota payer ID?
00720 for commercial and Medicare claims. MHCP claims use 00726.
How long do I have to file a Blue Cross Minnesota claim?
180 days for all lines of business, effective 2/1/2023.
How long do I have to appeal?
First-level appeals are due within 90 days of the remittance date. Second-level appeals are due within 60 days of the first-level denial. FEP is excluded.
How long do I have to file with Blue Cross Minnesota?
The plan set a permanent 180-day claims filing window for all lines of business, effective 2/1/23.
How long do I have to appeal?
Provider appeals follow the standard 90-day timeframe set by the same bulletin.
Can any behavioral health provider join the network?
Behavioral health is a managed specialty. Contract requests are reviewed but may not be approved.
Questions to ask before you bill
Every Blue Cross and Blue Shield company is independent. Rules from one plan do not carry to another, and the member card shows which plan pays. For accurate timely filing, confirm the information when completing the patient insurance benefits verification. Keep proof of every submission, and use the plan's own portal for appeals. MCM South serves psychotherapists and psychiatrists. This guide is operational information, not legal advice.
Related billing guides
- Credentialing with insurance companies
- In-network vs out-of-network credentialing
- Credentialing and network status
- Denied and rejected claims follow-up and appeals
- Electronic claims submission
- Billing terms glossary
- Who MCM South serves
Sources, checked 10/15/26: Blue Cross Minnesota provider toolkit, Blue Cross Minnesota join our network, Minnesota Attorney General settlement, Minnesota Commerce Department.
How MCM South helps
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 Minnesota 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 Minnesota 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.