Ascension to be network provider for Blue HPN in Southeast Michigan

As we told you in the October Record, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan will offer health plans that use a new network called Blue High Performance Network℠, or Blue HPN℠. Starting in January 2021, Ascension will be the network provider for Blue HPN in Southeast Michigan.

Blue Cross health plans with Blue HPN are EPO plan types, which means services are covered within the Blue HPN network. Members who have health plans with Blue HPN in Southeast Michigan can see certain Ascension health care providers for services and will only have to pay the plan’s out-of-pocket expenses. They will also be able to see HPN providers throughout the country, when they go out of state. If they see a non-Ascension health care provider, they’ll be responsible for the costs (except for emergency services and urgent care).

You’ll know that a member has selected the Blue HPN plan by their Blue Cross ID card or in web-DENIS when you check eligibility. A sample card is included below.

One important item to note on the card is the plan type. You’ll see the letters "EPO" in that area. EPO plan types require members to stay within the network for their plan and don’t allow for out-of-network coverage (with some exceptions).

Also, the suitcase in the lower left corner of the card shows "HPN" inside the suitcase logo. That means that the member is in the Blue High Performance Network.