All PlansAdministrativeMedium impact
New in Availity Essentials: Streamline Authorization Follow-Ups by Viewing and Responding to RFAI Online
Ambetter·GA·Prior Authorization
We identified it
Sep 4, 2026
Summary
Availity Essentials now allows providers to view and respond to Requests for Additional Information (RFAI) directly within the platform instead of relying on calls, faxes, or external portals. This streamlines prior authorization follow-ups by enabling secure document uploads and real-time tracking through a single dashboard.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing and authorization teams should transition to using the Authorization/Referral Dashboard in Availity Essentials to manage RFAI requests. Train staff to (1) monitor the Dashboard Summary page for 'Pending Action – Contact Payer' status indicators, (2) review payer messages in the Review Reason 1 field, (3) upload supporting clinical documentation (up to 10 attachments or 64 MB) in response to requests. For authorizations submitted outside Availity Essentials (faxed or on other portals), use the Authorization/Referral Inquiry tool and pin them to the dashboard to ensure RFAI notifications appear in the system. Access the three-minute demo and illustrated instructions from Help & Training in Availity Essentials. Failure to transition may result in missed RFAI requests and subsequent authorization delays or claim denials.