CommercialPrior AuthMedium impact
Important Update on the New Authorization/Notification System
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield·Prior Authorization
Effective date
Feb 14, 2022
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
CareFirst is temporarily relaxing prior authorization timing requirements through February 28, 2022, allowing providers to submit late authorizations for services from January 7, 2022 onward. The authorization system will be open during this period to help providers catch up on authorizations that fell outside normal 3-day and 7-day windows.
Action Required
Through February 28, 2022: Billing team should log into provider.carefirst.com to submit any outstanding authorizations for dates of service January 7, 2022 and after. Select 'Retrospective' priority for outpatient authorizations submitted after the Auth Start Date, and for inpatient authorizations submitted after discharge. Use 'Concurrent Standard' for inpatient authorizations submitted after admit date but before discharge. This applies only to Commercial, FEP, and Medicare Advantage members in Altruista Guiding Care system.