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Authorization Manager tips for mental health providers
May 1, 2023

This article is for all mental health providers caring for our members

As a reminder, all providers will be required to submit initial authorization requests and inquiries electronically through Authorization Manager rather than by phone or fax starting June 1, 2023 for our commercial (HMO, PPO) and Federal Employee Program (FEP) members. Authorization Manager is the most efficient method to submit requests, and it’s available 24/7 at no additional cost via single sign-on through Provider Central!

Both medical and mental health providers will need to use Authorization Manager starting June 1. Here are some tips specifically for mental health providers:

  • For all outpatient requests, click on “Request Medical PA” and enter your patient’s information. Then, select “Behavioral Health Service Request” or “Behavioral Health Inpatient” as the request type.
  • Follow our detailed guides for either inpatient or outpatient mental health services.
  • Psychological testing and neuropsychological testing each require their own separate authorization request.
    • Requests for psychological testing may be automatically approved.
    • For psychological testing, only 96130 and 96131 require authorization.
    • For neuropsychological testing, only 96132 and 96133 require authorization.

Advantages of using Authorization Manager – start today!

Why wait? Start using Authorization Manager today to review authorization requirements, request authorizations, check existing case status, and view or print the decision letter. This tool also allows you to:

  • Search member-specific authorization requirements by code.
  • Check the status of requests regardless of how they were submitted.
  • Upload additional clinical documentation to an existing case.
  • Enter a transaction within minutes. By the time you call and talk to a service representative, you could have entered an authorization request!

Resources

To read our News Alert announcing this upcoming mandate, log on to bluecrossma.com/provider and click News. Scroll down to the February 1 communication: “Submit referrals, authorization requests, and inquiries electronically starting June 1.”

Read our News Alert announcing this upcoming mandate: “Submit referrals, authorization requests, and inquiries electronically starting June 1.”

Questions?

Please send an email to us at hmmauthorizationmanager@bcbsma.com with any questions you may have about Authorization Manager.