June 8, 2026
In July 2026, we’ll upgrade financial systems to modernize our payment processing technology. These changes will help increase efficiency and enhance our payment capabilities.
What’s changing: If you currently receive paper checks from Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois and are enrolled with Zelis Payments Network, you will receive electronic payments based on your Zelis preferences (virtual credit card or Zelis ACH+ payments). This is part of our efforts to reduce paper check distribution in order to streamline the payment process.
If you don’t want electronic payments and prefer to continue receiving paper checks from BCBSIL, please email us with your request and include your tax ID number. We can set your payments to remain in the current check format.
All electronic claim summary documents will be sent to your clearinghouse in PDF format.
We’re also expanding the number of banks we contract with to distribute payments. This change helps ensure payments are made in the event of a possible system issue.
What’s not changing (no action is needed on your part for the following): If you currently receive claim payments from BCBSIL via:
Electronic funds transfer and aren’t enrolled in the Zelis Payments Network: You will continue to receive an electronic payment from BCBSIL.
Electronic funds transfer and are enrolled in the Zelis Payments Network: You will continue to receive an electronic payment from BCBSIL.
Paper check and aren’t enrolled in the Zelis Payments Network: You will continue to receive paper check payments. However, we encourage you to enroll in EFT to expedite the claim payment process. Learn how to enroll in EFT at no charge.
Zelis Healthcare Corporation is an independent company that provides administrative services to BCBSIL. BCBSIL makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding third party vendors and the products and services they offer.