Availity Authorization Tool via Availity^® and the Deactivation of iExchange

On Dec. 24, 2019, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) announced the implementation of Availity Authorizations for submitting BCBSTX prior authorizations and referrals as of Jan. 30, 2020. We also indicated that our current electronic prior authorization tool, iExchange^®, will be deactivated April 15, 2020.

Providers who are not yet registered with Availity, can sign up now at the Availity  website. There is no charge for this service. If you need assistance, call Availity Client Services at 1-800-282-4548. As of Jan. 30, 2020, providers should begin the transition from using iExchange to the new five-step Availity Authorization application.

Availity's Authorizations application is easy and consists of only five steps:

1. Log in to Availity
2. Select Patient Registration menu option, choose Authorizations & Referrals, then Authorizations^*
3. Select Payer BCBSTX, then choose your organization
4. Select Inpatient Authorization or Outpatient Authorization
5. Review and submit your authorization

^*Choose Referrals instead of Authorizations if you are submitting a referral request.

BCBSTX is hosting complimentary webinars for providers to learn how to use this new online prior authorization submission application. Go to the Educational Webinar/Workshop Sessions page and select Availity Authorizations & Referral Training to register.

Authorizations managed through eviCore^® will continue to be handled through the eviCore portal .

Check the provider website for additional information on Availity Authorizations. If you need further assistance or customized training, contact our Provider Education Consultants.

iExchange is a trademark of Medecision, Inc., a separate company that provides collaborative health care management solutions for payers and providers.

eviCore is an independent specialty medical benefits management company that provides utilization management services for BCBSTX. eviCore is wholly responsible for its own products and services. Availity is a trademark of Availity, LLC, a separate company that operates a health information network to provide electronic information exchange services to medical professionals. Availity provides administrative services to BCBSTX. BCBSTX makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding any products or services provided by third-party vendors such as eviCore and Availity. If you have any questions about the products or services provided by such vendors, you should contact the vendor(s) directly.