All PlansAdministrativeMedium impact
New in Availity Essentials: Streamline Authorization Follow-Ups by Viewing and Responding to RFAI Online
Ambetter·MO·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 online platform instead of relying on phone calls or faxes. The billing team can upload supporting clinical documentation (up to 10 attachments, 64 MB total) through the Authorization/Referral Dashboard to expedite authorization follow-ups.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing team should log into Availity Essentials and familiarize themselves with the new RFAI workflow by accessing Help & Training > Get Trained and searching 'Auth Request for Additional Information.' Train all staff on monitoring the Authorization/Referral Dashboard for 'Pending Action – Contact Payer' status updates. For authorizations submitted outside Availity Essentials, use the Authorization/Referral Inquiry tool to pin them to the dashboard for tracking. Shift RFAI response process from phone/fax-based submissions to online uploads within Availity Essentials to reduce delays and improve authorization management. Note: RFAI requests sent before authorization is pinned will not appear in the dashboard and will continue via other channels.