It’s a trend that started more than a decade ago: Every year there’s a steady climb in the number of ACH healthcare claim payments from insurers to healthcare providers, and the value of those payments. 2025 is no exception, and the figures are impressive.

Medical and dental providers received close to 548 million claim payments in 2025, according to new ACH Network figures from Nacha. That’s a 7.3% increase from 2024. But if you go back to 2014, when there were just 149 million of those payments, the increase is about 267% (see graphic below).

Last year’s payments were worth a combined $2.94 trillion, up almost 11% from 2024, and a jump of 234% from 2014.

“When you’re talking about nearly $3 trillion, you want that money in the bank quickly. Paper checks hardly guarantee that,” said Brad Smith, Nacha Senior Director, Industry Engagement and Advocacy. Smith pointed to the 2025 Association for Financial Professionals Payments Fraud and Control Survey Report, in which 63% of respondents said they experienced actual or attempted check fraud in 2024. AFP called it “clear that checks remain easy targets for criminals.”

Smith said healthcare practices that are still hoping the check is in the mail need to make the switch to EFT. He also said insurers must pay by EFT when asked, and that no provider is required to take a virtual credit card (VCC).

“EFT claim payments are the gold standard: safe, quick, convenient,” said Smith.

Dental and medical practices can learn more about the benefits of EFT claim payments, and read success stories, here on Nacha.org.