In brief: Affiliation with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont, women’s health support, noncontracted ambulance services

Affiliation with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont announced

You may have read previously that Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont announced an agreement to formally affiliate and work together to share technology, capabilities, knowledge and expertise. This new model of collaboration is expected to broaden the range of health plan and service solutions for our members and customer groups, while retaining a commitment to the local communities in each state.

The affiliation won’t affect our provider contracts or relationships. We sent a letter to physician organizations and hospital leaders about this new relationship in May. For more details, see this press release on MI Blues Perspectives.

Changes to women’s health support program include new name, menopause support

Last year, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network began working with Maven,* an independent company, to provide a Family Building and Maternity Support Solution. We’ve renamed this solution the Family Building and Women’s Health Support Solution and enhanced it, as follows:

• Maternity program: Starting in July 2023, members who have coverage through Blue Cross and BCN commercial self-funded groups that purchase this program will receive maternity support during the nine months of pregnancy and for one year postpartum.

• Menopause program: In July, members who are experiencing physical and mental symptoms related to menopause can get access to expert advice and resources. This program will be available to all members who have individual coverage or coverage through Blue Cross and BCN commercial fully insured groups. It’s also available to members who have coverage through self-funded groups that purchase this program.

For more details, see this article in the June Record.

Help patients avoid being balance billed by noncontracted ambulance services

Health care providers should order transfers for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network members only from our contracted ambulance service companies when arranging for non-emergency ground transfers. This will help prevent patients from being balance billed large amounts by noncontracted ambulance services. For more details, see this article in the July Record.

*Maven is an independent company supporting Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network by providing family building and women’s health support services.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.