We’re issuing new alphanumeric contract numbers in 2021 for Blue Cross, BCN members

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network will issue alphanumeric contract numbers to new members starting sometime in 2021. This is a change from the previously announced start date, which was July 1, 2020. We’ll update our provider manuals and related documents to reflect the delay in implementation.

The alphanumeric contract numbers will be issued to all new Blue Cross and BCN members, including our Medicare Advantage members. Existing members will keep the contract numbers they now have.

The new contract numbers will include the letter M after the standard prefix. For example, an existing enrollee ID looks like this: XYH912345678. The prefix is XYH and the contract number (nine digits) is 912345678.

The new enrollee ID will follow this format: XYHM91234567. The prefix is XYH and the alphanumeric contract number of nine characters is M91234567. When providers check a member’s eligibility or benefits in web-DENIS, for example, they should use the nine-character alphanumeric contract number once this change goes into effect.

We’ll publish additional information on this topic once the exact implementation date is identified.