Before you start
California practices using Thrizer for out-of-network BCBS claims must register separately with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield of California. This guide covers Anthem. Complete the Blue Shield of California registration too; one registration does not cover both plans. Registration establishes the provider information Anthem needs for claims processing. It is not the same as creating an Availity account, joining Anthem’s network, or receiving claim approval. The practice coordinates registration and supplies its clinicians’ information. You need an Availity Essentials account associated with your organization and the provider enrollment role assigned by your organization’s Availity administrator. Have your practice’s TIN, applicable billing NPI, clinician NPIs, and service-location information ready.Open Anthem’s out-of-network registration
These steps come from Anthem California’s official out-of-network registration instructions. The screens after sign-in depend on your organization’s access and Anthem’s current application.1
Sign in to Availity Essentials
Open Availity Essentials and sign in. Select the California market where applicable. If your organization already has an account, ask its administrator for access instead of creating a duplicate organization.
2
Open Anthem's payer space
Select Payer Spaces, then Anthem.
3
Open the enrollment application
Under Applications, open Provider Enrollment and Network Management. Anthem’s newer September 2026 enrollment update calls the application Enrollment, Registration and Network Management.
4
Choose the out-of-network option
Select Out-of-Network / Single Case Agreements to start registration. The combined menu name does not mean every practice must obtain a single-case agreement. Do not choose in-network participation as a substitute.
5
Complete the requested practice and clinician information
Register your practice or organization and provide the applicable clinician details requested by Anthem. A solo practitioner can use the individual-practitioner registration path. Clinicians within a group are not being instructed to establish separate practices.Review the current application’s requirements and your information before submitting. Keep the application’s confirmation and follow Anthem’s requests for any missing information.
If you cannot add your group’s clinicians
Anthem’s April 2026 article says non-participating organization roster submission was still being developed. Do not assume a roster-upload button is available. If the application does not provide a way to associate your clinicians, use Chat with Payer in Anthem’s payer space or contact Anthem’s provider support to confirm the required process.If you already have a record or cannot find the application
- Updating demographics: Anthem directs existing-record updates to My Providers → Provider Data Management. That is different from initial enrollment.
- Enrollment application missing: ask your Availity administrator to check your provider enrollment role, then confirm the selected market and payer space.
- Out-of-network option missing or a network contract appears: contact Anthem before continuing. Do not select in-network participation merely to get through the application.
- Clinician recognition or supervision questions: ask Anthem or the applicable behavioral-health administrator. Registration access does not prove recognition of a clinician category. See Thrizer’s supported claim structure.