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> For a complete documentation index, see https://docs.usebridge.com/documentation/eligibility/soft-eligibility/llms.txt.
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# Soft Eligibility

The soft eligibility check is done by creating a *Provider Eligibility* resource.

### Payer List

The patient must be able to select their insurance provider.
Use the [Payer Search](/api/api-reference/search/payer-search) API for the Patient's discovery of Payers.

### Patient Input

Using the list of [States](/api/resources/states), have the Patient input the location
they'll be in for the visit and their payer. Only the state is required, not a full address.

### Provider Eligibility

Use the [Create Provider Eligibility API](/api/api-reference/provider-eligibility/create-provider-eligibility) to
resolve policy and Provider eligibility.

* Only the `state` is required within the `location`.
* If the date of service is unknown, use today's date.

### Evaluation

Inspect the `status` field of the Provider Eligibility.
If `INELIGIBLE`, the state/payer combination is not available.

If `ELIGIBLE`, inspect the `providers` array.
If this is empty, the payer is contracted in that state but there are no Providers available.

Allow the patient to move through, only if there are available Providers.