Here’s how newborn coverage was updated

When Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan became a mutual company in January 2014, its newborn coverage policy changed. We want to make sure you are aware of these updates.

Newborn coverage changes

• Newborns are covered for the first 31 days from the date of their birth whether or not the baby is listed on the subscriber’s contract. Coverage includes both well-baby care visits and claims for injury, sickness, congenital defects and birth abnormalities. If the baby is not enrolled on the subscriber’s contract on day 32, coverage under our 31-day newborn coverage policy terminates.

• The 31-day newborn coverage policy applies to either the mother’s or the father’s contract, whoever is the subscriber. The mother is not required to be listed on the father’s contract for the newborn to be covered.

• The 31-day newborn coverage does not apply to the newly born child of a dependent. If the mother is a dependent (not the subscriber or the spouse) on the contract, then claims for the newborn will be denied. Blue Cross does not provide coverage to the newborn of a dependent unless the subscriber has legal responsibility for the newborn. Coverage for the newborn may be available through other sources.

Note: The 31-day newborn coverage policy does not apply to Federal Employee Program^® members. For self-funded groups, newborn coverage is determined by the group’s plan.

For additional information about our newborn coverage policy, refer to the benefit section of our online provider manuals, which will be updated to include information on this policy July 1, 2016.

If you have questions regarding a denied claim or to status a claim that you reported, please contact Provider Inquiry.