All PlansAdministrativeMedium impact
New in Availity Essentials: Streamline Authorization Follow-Ups by Viewing and Responding to RFAI Online
Ambetter·IL·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 via phone or fax. This streamlines the prior authorization follow-up process by enabling secure online submission of supporting documentation through a centralized dashboard.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing and authorization staff should log into Availity Essentials and familiarize themselves with the new RFAI workflow. Access the Authorization/Referral Dashboard, review the 'Pending Action – Contact Payer' status column, and practice uploading documentation responses to RFAI requests (up to 10 attachments, 64 MB total). For authorizations submitted outside Availity Essentials, use the Authorization/Referral Inquiry tool to pin them to the dashboard for RFAI tracking. Complete the three-minute demo under Help & Training > Get Trained (search 'CNC') and review illustrated instructions in the Provider Help Center to ensure all staff can process requests for additional information authorizations efficiently.