Michigan Medicine has notified Blue Cross that it intends to terminate its status as a participating provider on July 1, 2026. Blue Cross is diligently working with Michigan Medicine to reach an agreement on an affordable payment contract that will keep the health system’s Southeast Michigan facilities and providers in our network after June 30, 2026. The two teams met on April 8 to continue discussions, and we have regular meetings scheduled in the coming weeks. We are determined to reach an agreement before the current contract ends on June 30.
We recently sent letters to those who use Michigan Medicine’s Specialty Pharmacy for self-administered specialty drugs or limited distribution drugs. If a contract is not reached by June 30, these prescriptions will no longer be covered under Blue Cross or BCN pharmacy benefits when filled at Michigan Medicine pharmacies. We recommend that you transfer your prescription to a pharmacy that participates in the Blue Cross network in advance of the June 30 deadline to prevent an interruption in your medication or higher costs.
Specialty drugs: You can transfer your specialty prescriptions to Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy which participates in the Blue Cross network and can provide you with the medication at the same cost. To get started, call the Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy at 1-866-515-1355 to set up your profile for home delivery. You can also ask your health care provider to send a new prescription to Walgreens Specialty Pharmacy electronically or by fax to 1-866-515-1356.
Limited distribution drugs: Limited distribution drugs are those that manufacturers only make available through designated pharmacies. To find a new pharmacy to fill your limited distribution drug prescriptions, go to the Specialty Drug Program Rx Benefit Member Guide (PDF). See the pharmacy names and phone numbers listed in the Limited distribution specialty drugs section. This list is updated monthly. These pharmacies have extensive specialty care experience with limited distribution drugs.
Again, to ensure you do not experience an interruption in the availability of your medication or higher costs, we recommend transferring your prescriptions before June 30.
We are ready to help members who wish to transition care to other providers before July 1. You can access our Find a Doctor tool on bcbsm.com. To get started, login to your account, click the Find Care tab and Find a Doctor – this will enable you to search providers by specialty, procedures & services or by name. Use caution when selecting a new provider, as Michigan Medicine physicians will still appear as participating with Blue Cross and BCN through June 30. You can also call the number on the back of your member ID card, and a representative will assist you in transitioning your care. Visit this page for the latest updates.
We have very unfortunate news. Michigan Medicine, who you may know as the University of Michigan hospital system or health system, has notified us that their Southeast Michigan facilities and physicians will no longer accept your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Blue Care Network commercial health insurance effective July 1, 2026. Medicare Advantage members are not impacted. We know this news can be very upsetting to Blue Cross and BCN members who have had trusted and longstanding ties to Michigan Medicine, or who are receiving care within the health system. We want you to understand what is happening and assure you that we are ready to help you.
We have been negotiating new payment terms with Michigan Medicine for many months, which will dictate how much people and employers with Blue Cross or BCN insurance will pay for services there. After several rounds of negotiations, Michigan Medicine is demanding a 44% increase in payment over the term of a new contract. We oppose this because of the negative impact it will have on the affordability of health care and health insurance for families and employers.
Blue Cross and BCN want our members to have access to the excellent care that the talented doctors, nurses and staff of the Michigan Medicine system provide. Our latest proposal to Michigan Medicine pays more — not less — for services. Blue Cross and BCN continue to work diligently in our negotiations to maintain affordable health insurance for our members and access to care at your medical facilities and with your physicians of choice. Our payment proposals to Michigan Medicine are fair and reasonable, providing increases that account for the incremental costs every business is experiencing, while providing additional payments focused on quality outcomes for patients. We remain hopeful that we will successfully negotiate a new payment contract before July 1, 2026. In the meantime, we are ready to help you find alternative care providers and plan for your care.