Anthem does not publish one national fax number. Its plans are run state by state, and each line of business has its own appeals and pharmacy lines. Two verified examples from anthem.com: Anthem Blue Cross California Individual & Family members fax grievances and appeals to 1-877-551-6183, and prescribers fax California pharmacy prior authorization requests to (844) 474-3347. If your denial letter or ID card gives a different number, use that one.

This guide lists the Anthem fax numbers we could confirm on Anthem's own sites, explains how to find the line for your state, and covers what to put on the fax so it reaches the right file.

  • No single Anthem fax number. State and plan type decide the line.
  • Verified numbers, each linked to the Anthem or CarelonRx page it came from
  • Your letter or ID card beats any number on the web

Table of Contents

Why Anthem fax numbers vary

Anthem is a family of Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans that operate in specific states, and part of the larger Elevance Health company. A California Individual & Family plan, a Colorado employer plan, a Medicare Advantage plan and a Medicaid plan are handled by different teams, each with its own fax lines. Pharmacy benefits are often managed by CarelonRx, Anthem's pharmacy benefit company, which has its own lines too.

That is why a number that works for one Anthem member can be wrong for another. For the wider picture of how the Blue plans split, see our Blue Cross Blue Shield fax guide.

Verified Anthem fax numbers

Verified November 2026:

Plan What to fax Fax number Source
Anthem Blue Cross California, Individual & Family Member grievances and appeals 1-877-551-6183 Anthem CA complaints, grievances and appeals
Anthem California plans Pharmacy prior authorization or step therapy exception requests (prescribers) (844) 474-3347 Anthem CA pharmacy prior authorization
CarelonRx (Anthem's pharmacy benefit company) Provider prior authorization, prescription exceptions and utilization management 844-521-6940 CarelonRx contact us

Notes:

  • California appeals: Anthem also accepts them by mail at P.O. Box 4310, Woodland Hills, CA 91365-4310, or by phone at 1-800-365-0609. Members can file up to 180 calendar days after the incident or action, and Anthem responds in writing within 30 days (72 hours if expedited).
  • California pharmacy prior authorization: use Anthem's Prescription Drug Prior Authorization Or Step Therapy Exception Request Form, filled in and signed by the prescriber.
  • CarelonRx: the contact page pairs the fax with phone 833-293-0659 and points members to the number on their ID card. It is not a catch-all for every Anthem plan, so confirm it applies to the member's plan before sending.
  • Other states: Anthem's 2018 Colorado provider notice listed separate commercial pharmacy fax lines for on- and off-exchange plans. Because that notice is several years old, we have not listed those numbers here.

Finding the number for your state

If you are outside California or have an employer, Medicare or Medicaid plan:

  1. Read your denial letter or EOB. Anthem letters name the unit and its fax or mailing address.
  2. Check the back of your ID card for member services and pharmacy numbers, and ask for the fax line for your exact request (appeal, grievance, prior authorization, claim).
  3. Sign in to your Anthem account and open the forms or appeals section for your state and plan.
  4. Providers should check Anthem's provider site for their state. Anthem routes most provider claim disputes through Availity rather than fax.

Avoid fax numbers from directory sites. Anthem changes lines when plans move to new systems, and an appeal sent to an old line can miss its deadline.

How to fax Anthem, step by step

  1. Confirm the state and plan type on the ID card.
  2. Find the number on your letter, or use the verified table if it matches your plan.
  3. Use Anthem's form where one exists, such as the pharmacy prior authorization form.
  4. Write the member ID and any claim or reference number on every page.
  5. Attach evidence: the denial letter, a short explanation, and records or a doctor's letter that answer the reason for the denial.
  6. Send it in one fax and keep the confirmation.

No fax machine? You can send a fax online for $2.99 with no subscription and no account, and get the delivery confirmation by email.

Mistakes that slow down an Anthem fax

  • Using another state's number. Anthem plans in different states are separate operations.
  • Sending a pharmacy request to a medical line, or the reverse.
  • No member ID or reference number on the pages.
  • A prior authorization faxed by the patient. These requests come from the prescriber.
  • Missing the deadline. Check your letter for the exact time limit.

Faxing Anthem works when the state, plan and request match the line, your identifiers are on every page, and you keep the confirmation.

Fax your Anthem documents now →

Frequently asked questions

What is the Anthem appeal fax number?

It depends on the state and plan. For Anthem Blue Cross California Individual & Family plans, Anthem lists 1-877-551-6183 for grievances and appeals. Other states and Medicare or Medicaid plans use different numbers, so check your denial letter or call the number on your ID card.

What is the Anthem pharmacy prior authorization fax number?

For California plans, Anthem's pharmacy prior authorization page says to fax the request form to (844) 474-3347. CarelonRx, Anthem's pharmacy benefit company, lists 844-521-6940 for provider prior authorization requests, but the right line depends on the member's plan.

Does Anthem have one national fax number?

No. Anthem plans are run by state, and appeals, prior authorization and claims lines differ by state and plan type. The ID card and the denial letter are the reliable sources.

How long do I have to appeal an Anthem decision?

For California Individual & Family plans, Anthem says members can file a grievance or appeal up to 180 calendar days after the incident or action. Anthem gives a written response within 30 days, or within 72 hours for an expedited case.

Do I need a fax machine to fax Anthem?

No. An online fax service sends the fax from your browser or phone and emails you a delivery confirmation to keep with your appeal.

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