HCSC to Drop Courtesy Prior Authorizations for Medicaid in 2027
Health Care Service Corp. will end courtesy prior authorizations in its three Medicaid states, Illinois, Texas and New Mexico, starting in 2027. Courtesy prior authorizations are requests providers submit for services that do not actually require authorization under benefit plans, regulatory requirements, contractual provisions or clinical policies. HCSC says providers should instead use authorization resources, provider portal tools and support channels to verify whether prior authorization is needed, then proceed with covered services and submit claims normally. The change takes effect Jan. 1 for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas Medicaid and Feb. 1 for the other HCSC Blues Medicaid plans, and does not alter existing prior authorization requirements.