CommercialAdministrativeMedium impact
Reminder: Digital Access to Prior Authorization and Referral Decision Letters Through Availity® Essentials
BCBS New Mexico·NM·Prior Authorization
Effective date
Jul 18, 2026
We identified it
Jul 17, 2026
Summary
Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico is transitioning prior authorization and referral approval letters for commercial members from U.S. Postal Service delivery to digital-only access through Availity Essentials starting September 8, 2026. Denial letters will continue to be mailed via USPS and remain available electronically. Providers can begin accessing approval letters digitally through the Provider Correspondence Viewer on July 18, 2026.
Action Required
By July 18, 2026: Billing and authorization staff must establish access to the Provider Correspondence Viewer within Availity Essentials for their organization. By September 8, 2026: Update internal workflows to expect digital-only delivery of prior authorization and referral approval letters for commercial members (denial letters will still arrive by USPS). For out-of-area providers: Add the appropriate BCBSNM payer region to Availity profile by accessing My Account Dashboard > Manage My Organization > Add Payer Region(s). Providers who prefer continued USPS delivery of approval letters must submit an opt-out request via email to Provider Education Consultants before September 8, 2026, including: NPI, Tax ID, provider name, city/state/ZIP, and requester name. Failure to transition to digital access may result in delayed receipt of critical authorization information and impact claim processing timelines.