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Auth Submissions Temporarily Unavailable via Availity Sept. 18-21
Act
by Sep 18, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET
Effective date
Sep 18, 2026
Identified
Sep 12, 2026
Summary
Highmark will perform planned systems maintenance on the Availity Essentials portal from Friday, September 18 at 9 p.m. to Monday, September 21 at 6 a.m. ET. During this blackout window, providers cannot submit electronic authorization requests or view existing authorizations via Availity; urgent requests must be submitted by fax instead.
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What to do
by Sep 18, 2026 at 9 p.m. ET · 6 steps
01Billing team and authorization staff must prepare to transition authorization submissions to fax during the maintenance window (Sept.
0218, 9 p.m. - Sept.
0321, 6 a.m. ET).
04Establish fax submission procedures and ensure all staff know the Highmark fax number for urgent authorization requests during this period.
05Communicate the blackout to all providers and front desk staff who submit authorizations.
06Resume electronic submission via Availity starting Monday, September 21 at 6:01 a.m. ET.
If missed: Failure to use fax during the blackout may delay authorization approvals and claim processing.
Original notice
Auth Submissions Temporarily Unavailable via Availity Sept. 18-21
providers.highmark.com · Always check the source before changing claims.