We’re endeavoring to create state-of-the-art tools that streamline the way providers work with us. Tools that reduce administrative burden, improve office workflows, and simplify complex transactions — allowing providers to focus on delivering care to our members.

The first step in that process was identifying a partner for a new provider portal.

“With provider input and the future vision of Highmark’s digital platforms in mind, we evaluated the advantages of our current provider portal and areas where we can improve. We looked closely at our opportunities to offer an enhanced online experience and found that Availity meets many of the criteria that will help us better serve providers,” said Lori Ashby, SVP Health Plan Capabilities Shared Services.

“Availity is just one step down a road where our relationship with providers is transformed; where we deliver on our Living Health model of a more connected, seamless experience,” she continued.

Availity’s multi-payer platform will further that mission by supporting the existing payer-provider transactions necessary to manage care for Highmark members and act as a gateway to our utilization management platform to perform authorization transactions.

Availity serves plans nationwide, including many Blue Cross Blue Shield Association licensees like us, making it easy for provider organizations to intuitively connect, communicate, and collaborate with other health plans on eligibility, authorizations, claims management, remittances, and other critical tasks.

“Availity is proud to partner with Highmark to support their provider engagement goals,” said Leslie Antunes, Chief Growth Officer of Availity and the executive sponsor of the Highmark relationship. “Providers and payers need the right tools to quickly and accurately accomplish administrative and financial tasks without adding undue burden or abrasion to the process. We look forward to collaborating on Highmark’s vision of creating an integrated, cost-effective, and fulfilling provider experience, grounded in patient-centricity across all markets and segments.”

We have a section of the Provider Resource Center dedicated to our transition to Availity. You can find it at the top of the left-hand website menu. That section includes additional background information on the transition as well as a list of frequently asked questions.

More information regarding registration and training will be shared in the coming months.

To ensure you receive updates from Highmark, sign up for our eSubscribe List HERE. Once you’ve subscribed, you will receive Highmark’s monthly newsletter, Provider News, with the latest information about the transition to Availity Essentials. We may also post updates on our Provider Resource Center.