CommercialAdministrativeMedium impact
Reminder: Digital Access to Prior Authorization and Referral Decision Letters Through Availity® Essentials
BCBS Illinois·IL·Prior Authorization
Effective date
Jul 18, 2026
We identified it
Jul 17, 2026
Summary
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois is transitioning prior authorization and referral approval letters for commercial members to digital-only delivery through Availity Essentials Provider Correspondence Viewer, effective July 18, 2026 for viewing and September 8, 2026 for cessation of USPS mailing. Denial letters will continue to be mailed via USPS and remain available electronically. Providers can opt out of digital delivery if preferred.
Action Required
By July 18, 2026: Billing and administrative staff must verify access to Provider Correspondence Viewer within Availity Essentials branded Payer Spaces section for commercial member prior authorization and referral decisions. Before September 8, 2026: Update internal processes to retrieve approval letters electronically rather than relying on USPS delivery; train billing team to access digital correspondence in Availity for commercial members. Out-of-area providers must add appropriate BCBSIL payer region to Availity profile to access decisions. Providers preferring USPS delivery of approval letters must submit opt-out request via email to Provider Education Consultants with NPI, tax ID, practice name, location, and requester name by September 8, 2026. Note: Illinois Medicaid and Medicare Advantage approval letter digital access timeline to be announced separately. Third-party vendor-issued authorizations will continue through existing channels and will not appear in Provider Correspondence Viewer.