A newsletter for the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield providers in western Pennsylvania
Issue 10, October 2023
Does your office or organization currently use Availity®
for other payers? If so, you can start using Availity for Highmark transactions — in the regions where you are contracted — right now.
That’s right, you don’t have to wait until February 5, 2024, which is the date when all Highmark providers will have access to Availity. Take advantage of this opportunity to shift all your Highmark transactions over to Availity before the year’s end.
Please note providers with new Highmark contracts, effective after October 20, 2023, can register to use Availity now and don’t have to wait until next year.
Highmark is taking a phased approach as we move from NaviNet® and HEALTHeNET to Availity to ensure a seamless transition for providers. We started with pilot programs in August and September that helped us address provider questions and concerns before Controlled Deployment, our largest transition phase. As of last Sunday (October 22), we entered Controlled Deployment which allows providers — who already use Availity for other payers — to begin using Availity for Highmark.
The last phase will occur February 5 where we open registration for providers who do not already use Availity with other payers and are not new to the network. This will allow Highmark to provide focused support to those offices/facilities unfamiliar with the Availity platform.
If you are currently registered with Availity, here are some top reasons you should shift all Highmark-related transactions to our new provider portal as soon as possible:
. Completing your transition to Availity in 2023 means you don’t have to do it next year. When January rolls around, your office won’t have to worry about completing a leftover task from the previous year — you and your team will be ready to go.
Availity began live training to providers on October 23, 2023, and will continue through November 3, 2023. Hosted by Availity and Highmark representatives, these sessions are designed to show you how to navigate Highmark’s new portal and get the most out of your experience. They will cover the following topics:
Training will be recorded and available after the live sessions. You can access these recorded trainings by logging into Availity Essentials and then navigating to Help & Training > Get Trained.
Additional training dates and information will be posted on the PRC when available. You also can receive training updates when you sign up for our eSubscribe list.
Our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) page on the Provider Resource Center (PRC) has numerous questions and answers about the move to Availity. Throughout the transition, we will continue to update this page.
The transition to Availity will occur in stages. Here’s what you can expect going forward:
1) Providers who currently use Availity for other payers will see Highmark as an option in the states where they are contracted; and 2) providers with new Highmark contracts effective after October 20, 2023, can register to use Availity.
Availity will be available for all Highmark providers.
Providers will no longer have access to NaviNet or HEALTHeNET (NY).*
*More information on the retiring of existing portal(s) will be distributed as it becomes available. If you don’t already receive emails for our provider newsletters, join our eSubscribe list today.
(Note: Highmark Wholecare and Highmark Health Options will not transition to Availity; providers should continue to use their current portals for transactions related to these plans.)
Availity is an independent company that contracts with Highmark to offer provider portal services.
NaviNet is a registered trademark of NaviNet Inc., which is an independent company that provides secure, web-based portal between providers and health insurance companies.
