← Back to list
Watch for Digital Access to Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Decision Letters via Availity® Essentials
Act
by Oct 8, 2026
Effective date
Dec 11, 2026
Identified
Sep 12, 2026
Summary
Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico is transitioning Medicare Advantage prior authorization approval letters from U.S. Postal Service mail to digital-only delivery via Availity Essentials Provider Correspondence Viewer, effective December 11, 2026. Beginning October 8, 2026, providers can access these letters digitally; denial letters will continue to be mailed and also available digitally. An opt-out option for mail delivery will be provided in future communications.
Get alerts when payers change rules like this one
We check BCBS New Mexico and other payers every day and email you when a change matches your specialty and state.
Get BCBS New Mexico alertsPolicy Monitoring is free. No card required.
What to do
by Oct 8, 2026 · 5 steps
01Billing team must establish access to Availity Essentials Provider Correspondence Viewer to retrieve Medicare Advantage prior authorization decision letters.
02By December 11, 2026: Implement workflow changes to obtain prior authorization approval letters exclusively through the digital portal rather than U.S. mail.
03Update staff procedures to monitor Availity for prior authorization decisions instead of relying on postal delivery.
04Evaluate whether to opt out of digital-only delivery when opt-out instructions are provided in future communications.
05Ensure all staff handling prior authorizations for Medicare Advantage members are trained on accessing the new digital portal.
Original notice
Watch for Digital Access to Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Decision Letters via Availity® Essentials
bcbsnm.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
Related changes
See all BCBS New Mexico changes →Reminder: Digital Access to Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Decision Letters Begins Oct. 8MediumEffective Oct 8, 2026 · Prior AuthorizationReminder: Commercial Prior Authorization and Referral Approval Letters Will Be Available Digitally Rather Than Mailed, as of Sept. 8, 2026MediumEffective Sep 8, 2026 · Prior AuthorizationReminder: Digital Access to Prior Authorization and Referral Decision Letters Through Availity® EssentialsMediumEffective Jul 18, 2026 · Prior AuthorizationDigital Access to Prior Authorization Decision Letters via Availity® EssentialsMediumEffective Jul 18, 2026 · Prior AuthorizationBrowse every BCBS New Mexico change in the policy list