CommercialAdministrativeMedium impact
[New York] Manage behavioral health Peer-to-Peer conversations online
Anthem BCBS·NY · Psychiatry·Specialty Services
Effective date
Sep 1, 2026
We identified it
Sep 2, 2026
Summary
Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield (New York) has launched a new online scheduling feature within Availity Essentials that allows providers to schedule and cancel behavioral health Peer-to-Peer (P2P) conversations electronically, effective September 1, 2026. This replaces the previous phone/email submission process and provides 24/7 self-service scheduling with real-time visibility into appointments.
Action Required
By September 1, 2026: Behavioral health providers and clinical staff must transition from submitting P2P requests by phone or email to using the Availity Essentials online platform. Training team: Access https://Availity.com, log into the Anthem payer space tile, and familiarize staff with the new P2P scheduling interface. Update office workflows and communication templates to direct staff to use Availity Essentials for all new P2P requests. No claims will be denied for using this new process, but delayed adoption may result in slower appointment confirmations compared to the self-service online option.