CommercialAdministrativeMedium impact
Reminder: Commercial Prior Authorization and Referral Approval Letters Will Be Available Digitally Rather Than Mailed, as of Sept. 8, 202
BCBS Texas·TX·Prior Authorization
Effective date
Sep 8, 2026
We identified it
Aug 25, 2026
Summary
Beginning September 8, 2026, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas will no longer mail prior authorization and referral approval letters to providers via USPS. Instead, approval letters will be available exclusively through the Provider Correspondence Viewer in Availity Essentials. Denial letters will continue to be mailed and remain available electronically. Providers may opt out and continue receiving approval letters by mail upon request.
Action Required
By September 8, 2026: Billing team and providers must transition to accessing prior authorization and referral approval letters through the Provider Correspondence Viewer in Availity Essentials rather than relying on mailed correspondence. Update internal workflows and staff training to ensure all team members know how to access and download letters electronically. If the practice prefers to continue receiving approval letters via USPS mail, submit an opt-out request to Provider Education Consultants before the effective date, including NPI, Tax ID, provider name, city/state/ZIP, and requester name. Failure to transition or submit opt-out requests may result in missed approval letters and delayed claims processing. Continue checking eligibility and benefits in Availity Essentials before rendering services.