Members enrolled in Healthy Blue Choices POS don’t need referrals to specialists

Healthy Blue Choices℠ POS is a new point-of-service plan, effective Jan. 1, 2023, for FCA non-bargaining employees and retirees** that allows the flexibility to receive covered health care services in or out of network without a referral. It’s administered by Blue Care Network and works similarly to our popular Blue Elect Plus℠ POS plan.

Members enrolled in Healthy Blue Choices POS or Blue Elect Plus POS don't need a referral for any covered service. They can refer themselves to any provider — even to providers who are considered out of network for this product.

The member ID card prefix for both plans is the same one that’s on the member ID card for HMO coverage. The difference is that the front of the ID card shows the name of the plan. (See image below.) In addition, there is wording on the back of the card noting that referrals aren’t required.

Healthy Blue Choices POS for employees
(Note: Retirees have an XYD prefix.)

Requirements for selecting a primary care provider

Healthy Blue Choices POS members with a Michigan address must select a BCN primary care physician; however, they also have the option to receive covered health care services in or out of network without a referral. Members who live outside of Michigan, with a non-Michigan address, don’t need an assigned primary care physician. They also don’t need a referral — they just need to see a BlueCard-participating provider if they want to pay the lower in-network out-of-pocket costs.

More key information

• All members have lower costs when seeing in-network providers.
• Authorization requirements apply for certain services provided by both in- and out-of-network providers.
• Some services are covered by in-network providers only, including most preventive services defined by the Affordable Care Act, office visits, durable medical equipment, prosthetics and orthotics, diabetic supplies, routine prenatal care (for members with active employee coverage) and colonoscopy (for members with retiree coverage).
• Some services aren’t handled through Blue Care Network, including behavioral health services, infertility treatment services and pharmacy.

For more information

Refer to the Healthy Blue Choices℠ POS webpage for more information. If you have questions about Healthy Blue Choices POS, call Provider Inquiry as follows:

• Physicians and professional providers: 1-800-344-8525
• Hospitals and facilities: 1-800-249-5103

**FCA bargaining employees are covered under a separate health plan administered by Blue Care Network.