Alacura for Medical Transportation Management: Learn More

June 15, 2026

Effective June 1, 2026, Alacura Medical Transportation Management began conducting medical necessity review of air and ground medical transportation services for some members with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma. This includes prior authorization, recommended clinical review and retrospective claim review for our fully insured and retail PPO, POS and HMO members.

Providers should engage Alacura before transporting any of our fully insured and retail members in nonemergent, nonurgent situations. Ambulance providers should verify that Alacura has been engaged before picking up the patient. Alacura nurses are available daily 24x7 for verbal assessments at 866-729-5941.

This program doesn’t apply to members with Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program^®, Medicare, Medicaid or self-funded benefit plans. For members with Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans other than BCBSOK, follow the prior authorization requirements of the plan on the member ID card.

Always check eligibility and benefits first through Availity^® Essentials or your preferred web vendor prior to rendering services. In addition to verifying membership, coverage status and other important details, this step returns information on prior authorization requirements and utilization management vendors, if applicable. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What changed as of June 1, 2026?
A: Effective June 1, 2026, Alacura Medical Transportation Management began conducting prior authorization, recommended clinical review and retrospective claim review for fully insured and retail air and ground medical transportation claims. Call Alacura at 866-729-5941before nonemergency and nonurgent transports. Alacura may review urgent and 911 claims after the fact.

Q: Who is Alacura?
A: Alacura Medical Transportation Management, LLC, provides utilization management services.

Q: What does Alacura do for BCBSOK?
A: Alacura conducts prior authorization, recommended clinical reviews and retrospective claim reviews of air and ground medical transportation claims based on our medical policy for ambulance and transport services (MED201.058).

Q: What services does Alacura review?
A: The following table shows the services and type of review Alacura conducts for each. Check eligibility and benefits first through Availity to confirm if the service requires prior authorization.

Q: How should providers contact Alacura?
A: To request prior authorization, seek recommended clinical review or submit information for post service medical necessity reviews, contact Alacura:

• By phone at 866-729-5941
• Online through the Alacura provider portal
• By fax at 866-729-8210
• By email

For faster service, providers can call Alacura to speak to a nurse. The dedicated line for BCBSOK is 866-729-5941and is answered by a person 24x7.

Q: What about Blue Cross and Blue Shield patients who have home plans in another state?
A: For members with Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans other than BCBSOK, follow the prior authorization requirements of the plan on the member ID card. Refer to information on BlueCard^® claims.

Q: When should hospitals call Alacura before the ambulance provider? 
A: Hospitals should call Alacura first for prior authorization of:

• All facility-to-facility transports when immediate transport is not required to prevent harm to the patient, even when the patient is in the emergency department. Alacura can assist with scheduling transport once transportation has been approved.
• All nonemergent outpatient transports and facility-to-home or facility to a lower level of care.

Q: When is it unnecessary for providers to contact Alacura before transport?
A: Urgent, emergent, 911 residence or 911 scene-based transports do not require prior authorization. These claims may be subject to post service medical necessity reviews by Alacura for level of care.

Q: What information should the provider have ready to submit to Alacura for prior authorization or when seeking recommended clinical review?
A: Provide the following information when requesting prior authorization or seeking recommended clinical review from Alacura:

• Patient name, date of birth and subscriber ID
• Face sheet, if the member is in a facility
• Clinical records
• Patient destination and reason for transport (e.g., necessary specialty services aren’t available at the current facility) and details about the selection of the facility if it isn’t the closest with the needed services.
• Date when transport is desired

Q: What happens when a provider calls Alacura for prior authorization before transport?
A: Alacura will conduct a verbal review of the patient’s clinical status. If the transport is determined to be not medically necessary, the provider will have the opportunity for a peer-to-peer review. If still denied, a written determination with appeal instructions will be issued.

Q: If a member needing transport is hospitalized, will Alacura select the primary ambulance provider currently serving the hospital?
A: Yes, if the hospital’s primary ambulance provider is in-network with BCBSOK, Alacura will work with the ambulance provider. If the ambulance provider is out-of-network, Alacura will attempt to find an appropriate in-network ambulance service available within the needed time frame. If no in-network provider is available, an out-of-network provider can be used.

Q: Where do providers submit claims for ambulance services subject to review by Alacura?
A: Submit claims to BCBSOK following normal claims submission processes. To decrease delays in processing, review and reimbursement, include:

• Ambulance run report
• Flight records
• Any clinical documentation from the requesting facility

If claims are submitted without clinical documentation, BCBSOK will send the submitting provider a letter and explanation of benefits with instructions on how to submit records for review. Providers can submit records to BCBSOK, who will forward to Alacura, or to Alacura directly.

Q: What if a provider disagrees with Alacura’s decision regarding their transport claim?
A: If prior authorization is denied, the provider can request a peer-to-peer review while on the phone. If still denied, or if the claim is denied after a post-service medical necessity review, the provider can appeal the decision.

Instructions for appeal will be included in the denial letter.

Checking eligibility and/or benefit information, obtaining prior authorization or the fact that a recommended clinical review (predetermination) decision has been issued is not a guarantee of payment. Benefits will be determined once a claim is received and will be based upon, among other things, the member’s eligibility and the terms of the member’s certificate of coverage, including, but not limited to, exclusions and limitations applicable on the date services were rendered. Regardless of any prior authorization or recommended clinical review (predetermination), the final decision regarding any treatment or service is between the patient and the health care provider. 

Alacura Medical Transportation Management, LLC, is an independent company that has contracted with BCBSOK to provide utilization management services for participants with coverage through BCBSOK.

Availity is a trademark of Availity, LLC, a separate company that operates a health information network to provide electronic information exchange services to medical professionals. Availity provides administrative services to BCBSOK.

BCBSOK makes no endorsement, representations or warranties regarding third party vendors and the products and services they offer.