Medicare AdvantageAdministrativeMedium impact
[Virginia] Manage behavioral health Peer-to-Peer conversations online
Anthem BCBS·VA · Psychiatry·Specialty Services
Effective date
Sep 1, 2026
We identified it
Sep 2, 2026
Summary
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Virginia) has launched a new online peer-to-peer (P2P) conversation scheduling feature within Availity Essentials, effective September 1, 2026. Providers can now schedule and cancel P2P appointments electronically 24/7 instead of submitting requests by phone or email, reducing administrative burden and improving scheduling efficiency.
Action Required
By September 1, 2026: Billing and clinical staff should familiarize themselves with the new Availity Essentials P2P scheduling feature. Update internal workflows to direct staff to use the online scheduling portal (https://Availity.com) for all new P2P requests instead of phone or email submissions. No billing system changes are required, but staff should be trained on accessing the new feature and leveraging 24/7 self-service scheduling to reduce administrative delays. For questions, use Availity Chat with Payer during business hours or contact Anthem provider support through their website.