Blue Review
A newsletter for contracting institutional and professional providers

May 2020

Alert: iExchange® Deactivation Extended Due to COVID-19

In response to COVID-19, the iExchange deactivation planned for April 15, 2020, has been temporarily suspended to offer you an extension to convert to the Availity® Authorizations tool during this pandemic.

Given the iExchange extension is only temporary, you are still encouraged to transition and use the Availity Authorizations tool for electronic benefit preauthorization submissions for inpatient admissions and select outpatient services handled by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL).

Important Reminders

  • Medical and surgical predetermination of benefits requests may be submitted via iExchange during this extension or by fax or mail by using the Predetermination Request Form.
  • Check the patient’s eligibility and benefits first to determine if benefit preauthorization is required for the service and/or procedure code. For online assistance, refer to the General Eligibility and Benefits Expanded Tip Sheet.
  • The process of submitting benefit preauthorization requests through eviCore healthcare (eviCore) or other vendors has not changed.
  • If you haven’t registered with Availity, you can sign up for free on the Availity website. For help, contact Availity Client Services at 800-282-4548.

For More Information
Refer to the educational Availity Authorizations User Guide located under the Provider Tools section of our website.

BCBSIL is offering additional weekly webinars for you to learn more about the Availity Authorizations tool. Visit our Webinars and Workshops page to register for upcoming session. If you need further assistance or customized training, contact our Provider Education Consultants.

Please note that the fact that a service has been preauthorized/pre-notified 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 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 BCBSIL. 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 BCBSIL. eviCore is wholly responsible for its own products and services. BCBSIL makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding any products or services provided by third party vendors such as Availity, eviCore or Medecision. If you have any questions about the products or services provided by such vendors, you should contact the vendor(s) directly.