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August 2013

Blues begin contracting with ambulatory infusion centers

Physicians now have another option to consider when deciding where to refer patients for infusion therapy.

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is formally contracting with ambulatory infusion centers, effective Aug. 1, 2013. We’ve been accepting applications from AICs interested in contracting with the Blues since May.

BCBSM and BCN decided to contract with qualified ambulatory infusion centers to provide our members with additional safe, convenient, cost-effective locations to receive infusion therapy. Please keep the following in mind:

  • Home infusion therapy providers that have infusion suites will need to register as AICs to be reimbursed for services provided in the infusion suites. You may continue to provide home infusion therapy under your current HIT agreement.
  • Hospital-based ambulatory infusion therapy facilities are not required to register as AICs. Hospitals may elect to enroll their AICs or they can continue to be reimbursed under the Participating Hospital Agreement.

AICs will be included in the provider directory on bcbsm.com by the end of the month. In the short term, we’ll include a list of the participating AICs on the Find a Doctor or Hospital search tool under “Other Directories.”

To help ensure that your patients have the lowest possible out-of-pocket costs, you’ll want to refer them to in-network AICs or other participating health care providers that offer infusion therapy services. AICs must participate with us to receive reimbursement.

Note: The benefit policies for Ford and UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust members currently do not include coverage for services provided by AICs. These members can continue to receive infusion therapy at hospitals, physician offices or from participating home infusion therapy providers.
 
If you know of an AIC that may be interested in participating with the Blues, direct them to the Provider Enrollment section of our website. Tell them to follow the prompts to access the AICs Enrollment Form.

If you have any questions, contact your provider consultant.

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*CPT codes, descriptions and two-digit numeric modifiers only are copyright 2012 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
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