MedicaidPrior AuthMedium impact
[Ohio] You are invited: behavioral health provider office hours — authorization changes effective
Anthem BCBS·OH · Psychiatry·Specialty Services
Effective date
Oct 1, 2026
We identified it
Aug 3, 2026
Summary
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield is implementing authorization changes for behavioral health services effective October 1, 2026, affecting Ohio Medicaid and MyCare Ohio plans. Providers are invited to attend educational office hours in September 2026 to learn details of these changes before implementation.
Action Required
By September 15, 2026: Behavioral health providers and billing staff should attend one of three scheduled office hour sessions (Sept 15, Sept 29, or Oct 8, 2026) to understand specific authorization changes. Billing team must obtain detailed authorization requirement changes from these sessions or contact ohiomedicaidprovider@anthem.com. By October 1, 2026: Update billing system, prior authorization workflows, and provider encounter forms to reflect new behavioral health authorization requirements for Medicaid and MyCare Ohio. Failure to comply with new authorization requirements may result in claim denials.