Nov. 21, 2025
We’ll soon expand the capabilities of BlueApprovR, our utilization management tool integrated with Availity® Essentials, to further expedite approvals for behavioral health services.
What’s changing: With BlueApprovR you’ll be able to submit concurrent reviews and edits for behavioral health inpatient and outpatient authorizations for many commercial members within the Availity Authorizations tool.
How to access and submit concurrent review prior authorizations online:
- In Availity, select Patient Registration from the navigation menu, then Authorizations & Referrals
- On the Authorizations & Referrals page, select Authorization/Referral Dashboard
- Locate and open the initial behavioral health authorization request
- Within the authorization request, select Update
- Next, select Edit Procedures and/or Edit Service Information*
- Complete the Clinical Questionnaire and continue with submission
*The total units/quantity for the initial and concurrent review must be submitted in the request.
Training sessions: Attend a training session to learn how to electronically submit requests via Availity Authorizations specifically for behavioral health concurrent reviews and edit functionality. You must be a current Availity user to register and attend these free training sessions.
Check eligibility and benefits: Member benefits vary based on the service being rendered and individual and group policy elections. Always check eligibility and benefits first through Availity Essentials or your preferred vendor prior to rendering services. This step will confirm coverage and other important details, such as prior authorization requirements and utilization management vendors, if applicable.
Learn more about preservice reviews.
Continue to watch News and Updates for future program updates and training opportunities.
Checking eligibility and/or benefit information and/or obtaining prior authorization is not a guarantee of payment. Benefits will be determined once a claim is received and will be based upon, among other things, the member’s eligibility and the terms of the member’s certificate of coverage, including, but not limited to, exclusions and limitations applicable on the date services were rendered. If you have any questions, call the number on the member's ID card.
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 Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexico. BCBSNM makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding third party vendors and the products or services they offer.