All PlansAdministrativeMedium impact
New in Availity Essentials: Streamline Authorization Follow-Ups by Viewing and Responding to RFAI Online
Ambetter·PA·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. Billing teams can upload supporting documentation (up to 10 attachments or 64 MB) to respond to payer requests through the Authorization/Referral Dashboard, streamlining the prior authorization follow-up process.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing team and authorization staff must transition from phone/fax-based RFAI responses to Availity Essentials platform. (1) Train staff to access the Authorization/Referral Dashboard and identify 'Pending Action – Contact Payer' status items. (2) Review the 'Review Reason 1' field for payer messages and navigate to the RFAI section to understand request details. (3) Prepare clinical documentation and upload responses (up to 10 attachments, 64 MB maximum) through Availity instead of faxing. (4) For authorizations submitted outside Availity, use the Authorization/Referral Inquiry tool to pin them to the dashboard for tracking. (5) Access training via Availity Essentials Help & Training or the Learning Center (search 'CNC' or 'Auth Request for Additional Information'). Note: RFAI requests sent before an authorization is pinned will not appear in the system and may continue via other channels.