Effective May 1, 2026, Carelon will expand operations to seven days per week for our Medicare members. This enhancement supports timely clinical review and authorization activities for post-acute care providers.

Carelon updated hours of operation (Central Time):

• Monday-Friday: 7 a.m.-7 p.m.
• Saturday: 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
• Sunday: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Weekend operations may include, but are not limited to, the following functions:

• Clinical review of authorization requests
• Peer-to-peer consultations
• Issuance of Notices of Medicare Non-Coverage (NOMNCs)
• Issuance of intra-stay denial determinations

BCBSRI values its partnership with Carelon and remains committed to delivering high-quality, timely utilization management services in support of our provider community and Medicare members. For questions regarding this operational update, please contact BCBSRI Provider Relations at ProviderRelations@bcbsri.org or Carelon Provider Relations at PACProvider_Relations@carelon.com.