AZ Blue welcomes you to the Availity Essentials portal

BLUECONNECT

Providers

March 2024

In This Issue

►	March news: Executive summary

►	CMS changes delay annual fee schedule updates

►	AZ Blue welcomes you to the Availity Essentials portal

►	Introducing two new code edits

►	Prior authorization updates effective April 1

►

Where to find FEP UM guidelines

Partnership with Availity for Essentials provider portal

AZ Blue has been working with Availity to implement functions on the Essentials provider portal for all network providers. If you’re not already familiar with Essentials, here are a few reasons we like it, and we hope you will too.

Real-time access to multiple payers – You’ll be able to work with us and other payers on the same platform.

User-friendly experience – Many of the workflows integrate with each other, so it’s easy and efficient to navigate to that next step in your process.

Best practice capabilities – Provider feedback, industry-standard technology, and extensive research help Availity’s platform stay reliable and on the cutting edge.

Comprehensive user support – You’ll find “help topic” info buttons throughout the portal that you can click for quick support. On-demand demo trainings walk you through the “how to” right when you need it. Availity offers free webinars on a regular basis, and you can message or call the Availity support team with questions about Essentials.

Work in progress

In collaborating with Availity’s experts over the past many months, we’ve come to understand what it will take to fully leverage the capabilities and opportunities we have with the Essentials portal. We’re updating systems and expanding capabilities to meet the technical requirements that will take us to the next level. While we know it will take time, we are excited to be taking these steps to improve the digital experience for our providers.

How to find us on the Essentials portal

Although our implementation is still a work in progress, you are welcome to check out what we have accomplished so far. If you’re already registered for the Essentials portal, you can find us on the Arizona payer list for eligibility and benefits, claim submission, claim status, EFT, and our “payer space” (for access to other resources).

If you’re not registered yet, Availity can help you get started through the Register and Get Started page.

In This Issue

►	March news: Executive summary

►	CMS changes delay annual fee schedule updates

►	AZ Blue welcomes you to the Availity Essentials portal

►	Introducing two new code edits

►	Prior authorization updates effective April 1

►

Where to find FEP UM guidelines

Availity is a separate, independent company contracted with AZ Blue to provide website portal services for providers who care for our members. Availity and Availity Essentials are registered trademarks of Availity, LLC.

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