EFT Payments Issued as Checks:CareFirst identified on or around May 10 an issue in which some providers who were set up to receive ACH/EFT payments instead received paper checks. This issue remains under active investigation. Providers do not need to take any action at this time. We are working toward resolution and will continue to share updates as more information becomes available, including expected timing.
ERAs Reflecting Check Information Instead of ACH:CareFirst is aware of an issue in which some Electronic Remittance Advices (ERAs) reflected check payment information instead of ACH/EFT details. This issue was resolved on May 29, 2026. CareFirst is currently working to reissue impacted ERAs to include the correct ACH/EFT information. Providers do not need to take any action at this time.

Change Healthcare notifying individuals of data breach. Learn more here.

BlueLink Newsletter

CareFirst's bimonthly administrative provider newsletter for participating practitioners and their office staff.

2026

Newsletter	Month	Highlights
	August	Continued Efforts Underway to Strengthen Claims Processing Systems (Commercial, Medicare Advantage, CareFirst CHPMD, DualPrime) Reminder: National Drug Code Required When Submitting Claims for Drugs Covered Under the Medical Benefit (Commercial, Medicare Advantage, CareFirst CHPMD, DualPrime) New Electronic Medication Prior Authorization Submission Process Effective September 1, 2026 (CareFirst CHPMD) Prior Authorization Requirement Update for PT, OT and SLP Services for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Advantage Members (Medicare Advantage) Coming Soon: Interactive Voice Response System Upgrade (Commercial, Medicare Advantage, CareFirst CHPMD, DualPrime) ...and more!
	June	CareFirst Platform Migration Update Available Now: Provider Directory Updates and Attestation Tool New Methods for Contacting Professional Credentialing and Enrollment Reminder: Member Eligibility not Determined by PCP Name on ID Card Important Utilization Management Process Update CareFirst Administrators: Administrative Platform Transition Reminders Enroll Today: Electronic Payment Through Zelis Are you In- or Out-of-Network? New Way to Verify your Network Participation Important Guidance for Providers Using Third-Party Billing Companies New Maternal Health Resources Available for Your Patients ...and more!
	April	1099 Tax Forms Available in the CareFirst Provider Portal’s Document Center Enter Medical Prior Authorizations Electronically for CareFirst Members New CareFirst Provider Portal Home Page Now Live Important Utilization Management Process Update CareFirst Administrators: Member Transition Reminders Healthy DC Plan Update Provider Reminder: Correct Use of MXJ Prefix for CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Medicare Advantage Individual PPO Claims Are You In- or Out-of-Network? How to Verify your Network Participation Medicare Advantage PPO: Plan Out-of-Network Provider Guidance Check Prior Authorization Status Electronically ...and more!
	February	What’s New for 2026! Enter Medical Prior Authorizations Electronically for CareFirst Members 1099 Tax Forms Now Available in the CareFirst Provider Portal’s Document Center Now Available: New Population Health Courses for Continuing Education Units Enhancements Coming Soon for Provider Directory Updates and Attestations Tool Reminder: Medical Records Requests in Progress Reminder: How to Submit a Claim Inquiry Attach Clinical Documentation on all Initial Prior Authorization Requests Changes to Current Payment Policies Medical Policy Updates ...and more!

BlueLink Newsletter

2026

Month

Highlights