Good news! You can now request prior auth via the Availity portal
We’re excited to invite you to start using our new prior authorization feature on the Availity Essentials™ provider portal. The integrated workflow makes it easy to see if prior authorization is required, request authorization from AZ Blue, upload attachments, and check status on the dashboard.
How it works
1.
Our prior auth request process checks member eligibility and then lets you know if auth is required. You’ll get specific details and find out if you should request the auth from AZ Blue, EviCore, Health Choice, or another administrator. For BlueCard (out-of-area) members, you’ll be automatically redirected to the appropriate Blue Plan for next steps.
2.
For codes that require AZ Blue prior auth, the workflow guides you to create a request. Simply add the required information and upload your supporting records.
Note about Gold Card requests: Although our Availity Essentials workflow requires record attachments, if you are a Gold Card provider and your request qualifies for quick Gold Card approval, the records you attach will only be reviewed if your auth is selected for a future audit.
3.
After you submit your request, you can see it in the dashboard. Be sure to click the item to see the current status (e.g., it might say “Pending” on the dashboard, but when you open the item to view the details, you may see the current status is “Approved”).
Note: If we need more information to process your request, we’ll send you a message through the dashboard.
4.
You can upload more attachments from the dashboard if necessary.
Next steps
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Not registered yet? Visit Availity’s Portal Registration page. If you already have an account, your account administrator can add user accounts for your teams. Be sure your clinical teams all have the Authorization and Referral user roles and permissions.
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Let your teams know! They can start using the Availity Essentials prior auth workflow right away.
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Questions? If you have questions about registration or how to use the prior authorization feature, please contact the Availity Client Services team at 800-282-4548.
Training for your teams
Availity offers several on-demand learning resources for the prior authorization feature, including:
Again, if you have questions about how the prior authorization feature works, contact the Availity Client Service team at 800-282-4548. They're happy to help!
04/14/26
Availity is a separate, independent company contracted with AZ Blue for provider portal services. Availity is a registered service mark and Availity Essentials is a service mark of Availity, LLC.
Blue Cross, Blue Shield, and the Cross and Shield Symbols are registered service marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.
