We’re changing our payment policy for lab services billed by independent labs

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is updating our payment policy for laboratory services billed by an independent lab. We’re making this change to support correct coding and payment accuracy.

The following change to our payment policy is effective in January 2023.

For lab services provided to members during their inpatient stay at a hospital facility, follow these guidelines:

• Laboratory services performed by nonhospital labs should be billed through the hospital under existing arrangements. Independent laboratories shouldn’t submit claims to Blue Cross for those services.
• Only the hospital with the inpatient admission may bill for lab services provided to the inpatient member during his or her stay.

We may deny claims if they’re submitted by an independent laboratory for services members received during their inpatient stay.