CommercialAdministrativeMedium impact
Digital Access to Prior Authorization Decision Letters via Availity® Essentials
BCBS Illinois·IL·Prior Authorization
Effective date
Jul 18, 2026
We identified it
Jun 16, 2026
Summary
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois will provide digital access to prior authorization and referral decision letters for commercial members through the Availity Essentials portal starting July 18, 2026. Approval letters will no longer be mailed after September 8, 2026, requiring providers to access them digitally only.
Action Required
By July 18, 2026: Billing and prior authorization staff must ensure access to Availity Essentials portal and familiarize themselves with the Provider Correspondence Viewer for accessing BCBSIL commercial member prior authorization letters. By September 8, 2026: Update workflows to retrieve all prior authorization approval letters digitally only - approval letters will no longer be mailed. Monitor for opt-out instructions if practice prefers to continue receiving mailed approval letters.