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Watch for Digital Access to Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Decision Letters via Availity® Essentials
Act
by Dec 11, 2026
Effective date
Dec 11, 2026
Identified
Sep 12, 2026
Summary
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Illinois 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. Denial letters will continue to be mailed but will also be available digitally. Prior authorizations from third-party vendors will remain on existing channels.
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What to do
by Dec 11, 2026 · 6 steps
01Billing team must transition to accessing Medicare Advantage prior authorization approval letters exclusively through Availity Essentials Provider Correspondence Viewer in the Payer Spaces section.
02Beginning October 8, 2026, staff should familiarize themselves with the new digital access method by viewing and downloading prior authorization decision letters through this portal.
03Update internal workflows to eliminate reliance on USPS-mailed approval letters for Medicare Advantage members.
04Maintain current processes for denial letters (which will still arrive by mail but also be available digitally).
05Note: Prior authorization decisions from third-party vendors will not be available in the Provider Correspondence Viewer and should continue through existing channels.
06Providers may opt out and request continued mail delivery—watch for opt-out instructions in future communications.
Original notice
Watch for Digital Access to Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Decision Letters via Availity® Essentials
bcbsil.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
Related changes
See all BCBS Illinois 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 Illinois change in the policy list