Change Healthcare Notice

Important Reminder: Claims Payment and Remittance Options for CareFirst Administrators

Posted on 2026-02-19 | Updated on 2026-02-19 19:43:10

As shared in our bi‑monthly BlueLink Newsletters, CareFirst Administrators (CFA) is upgrading its enrollment, claims, and billing functions to a new platform. This transition began on November 1, 2025, with a small group of members and will continue monthly through late 2026 until all CFA members have been fully transitioned.

As part of this transition, we have engaged PNC Healthcare, powered by ECHO Health, to provide electronic payment methods via their Claims Payment and Remittance service for newly transitioned members.

Please review the important information below to ensure your payment and remittance preferences are up to date.

  • CFA sent letters to providers about this transition in August that included payment options along with the website, echovcards.com/letter, where options can be managed.
    • Note: Providers will need their Tax ID and verification access code that was included in the letter to log in. If you have trouble logging in or have questions, please contact PNC Healthcare at 800-396-5335.
  • You may receive claims payments from both PNC Healthcare and the previous vendor (Zelis) for CFA members during this transition period.
  • If you do not change your payment preferences, payments will be made via virtual card.

Payment Options Available through PNC Healthcare

PNC Healthcare offers four different payment options. By default, providers will receive Virtual Card Payments (standard credit card processing fees apply) unless another option is selected.

  1. Virtual Card Payments: Virtual card payments arrive with your EOPs unless you select a different method of payment (see below for more options). Your office will receive payment notification via email or fax (if you have a HIPAA-certified fax number on file). The notification will include a unique payment transaction number and a virtual card, along with instructions on how to process the payment. Payments can be redeemed through your practice’s point-of-sale terminal, much like a manual credit card payment.
  • Important: If you do not want to receive virtual card payments, follow the instructions below to update your payment method or contact PNC Healthcare at 800-396-5335.
  1. Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) Payments: EFT is a fast and reliable way to receive payments directly to your back account. In addition to your banking account information, you will need to provide an ECHO payment draft number and payment amount as part of the enrollment authentication.
  1. Medical Payment Exchange (MPX): MPX is an option for providers who have opted out of virtual card payments and are not enrolled for EFT payments. If you are enrolled for MPX you will receive your payments in your MPX portal account. Otherwise, you may receive an MPX payment by Choice Card notification or Paper Check notification. The notification includes instructions for selecting your preferred payment option via our website echochecks.com. MDX checks are printable paper checks that are delivered with your Explanation of Payment (EOP) and can arrive 7-10 days faster than normal paper checks.

If you are already enrolled in MPX and have opted out of virtual card or EFT payments, no action is necessary. You will automatically receive your payments in your MPX portal account at echochecks.com. There is no charge to use MDX.

  1. Paper Checks: To receive paper checks and paper explanation of payments, you must elect to opt out of Virtual Card Services or remove your EFT enrollment.

This new Claims, Payments and Remittances service allows you to log in to a website to access a detailed explanation of payment (EOP) for each transaction. To access detailed EOPs for your payment transactions from CFA, visit www.providerpayments.com. If you have questions or need assistance, please contact PNC Healthcare at 800-396-5335.