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BCBS IllinoisMedicare Advantage · Administrative · Prior AuthorizationMedium impact

Reminder: Digital Access to Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Decision Letters Begins Oct. 8

Act
by Dec 11, 2026
Effective date
Oct 8, 2026
Identified
Oct 7, 2026

Summary

Beginning October 8, 2026, Medicare Advantage prior authorization approval letters will be available digitally through Availity Essentials' Provider Correspondence Viewer. Starting December 11, 2026, these approval letters will no longer be mailed via USPS; digital access will be the only method. Denial letters will continue to be mailed and remain available digitally. Providers may opt out of digital-only delivery by submitting a request to Provider Education Consultants.

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What to do

by Dec 11, 2026 · 5 steps
01All billing and prior authorization staff must transition to accessing Medicare Advantage prior authorization approval letters exclusively through Availity Essentials' Provider Correspondence Viewer rather than relying on USPS mail delivery.
02Starting October 8, 2026, staff should begin verifying access to the Provider Correspondence Viewer and confirming login credentials in Availity Essentials.
03If the practice wishes to continue receiving printed approval letters by mail, submit an opt-out request by December 11, 2026 to Provider Education Consultants, including: Provider NPI, tax ID, practice name, city/state/ZIP, and requester name.
04Note: Prior authorization denial letters will continue to arrive by mail and will also be accessible digitally, so maintain USPS mail review processes for denials.
05Verify that all relevant staff have been trained on accessing letters through Availity Essentials before the December 11 mailbox cutoff.

Original notice

Reminder: Digital Access to Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Decision Letters Begins Oct. 8
bcbsil.com · Always check the source before changing claims.
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Related changes

See all BCBS Illinois changes →
Watch for Digital Access to Medicare Advantage Prior Authorization Decision Letters via Availity® EssentialsMediumEffective Dec 11, 2026 · Prior AuthorizationBrowse every BCBS Illinois change in the policy list

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