---
title: "How can I identify the ERA payment method using the Claim.MD API?"
slug: "how-can-i-identify-the-era-payment-method-using-the-claimmd-api"
updated: 2026-03-10T14:53:48Z
published: 2026-03-10T14:53:48Z
canonical: "docs.claim.md/how-can-i-identify-the-era-payment-method-using-the-claimmd-api"
---

> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.claim.md/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# How can I identify the ERA payment method using the Claim.MD API?

**Question:** Is there any API method we can use to differentiate on our end whether the ERA payment was issued by check, ACH, EFT, or another payment type?

**Answer:** Yes. The Claim.MD ERA API returns a field called **`payment_method`** that identifies how the payment associated with the ERA was issued.

When retrieving ERA data through the API, the **`payment_method`** value will contain a code that represents the payment type. The possible values include:

| Code | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **ACH** | Automated Clearing House (EFT) |
| **BOP** | Financial institution chooses payment method |
| **CHK** | Check |
| **FWT** | Federal Reserve Wire Transfer |
| **NON** | Non-payment data (informational remittance only) |

Your integration can use this field to programmatically determine how the payment was issued when processing ERA responses.

Please Note

Please note that this field reflects the **payment method used for that ERA**. It does **not necessarily indicate how a provider’s NPI is enrolled with the payer for future payments**, only the method used for the payment associated with that ERA record.

For full technical details and the exact response structure, refer to the API documentation: [https://api.claim.md/#/paths/~1services~1eradata~1/post!c=200&ct=application/xml&path=result/payment_method&t=response](https://api.claim.md/#/paths/~1services~1eradata~1/post!c=200&ct=application/xml&path=result/payment_method&t=response)