How to submit Blue Cross inpatient authorization requests during upcoming holiday closures

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network corporate offices are closed on the following days:

During these holiday closures, the Blue Cross inpatient utilization management area remains available to accept inpatient authorization requests for Blue Cross PPO (commercial) and Blue Cross Medicare Plus BlueSM PPO members.

See the table below for instructions on submitting inpatient authorization requests when our corporate offices are closed.

Type of request Blue Cross PPO (commercial) Blue Cross Medicare Plus Blue PPO
Acute initial inpatient admissions Submit these authorization requests through the e-referral system, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Submit these authorization requests through the e-referral system, which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Post-acute initial and concurrent admission reviews Follow the current process and fax to 1-866-411-2573. Follow the current process and fax to 1-866-464-8223.
Other inpatient services The requests listed below must be faxed to 1-800-482-1713:

  • Authorization requests for sick or ill newborns
  • Federal Employee Program members with contract eligibility issues
  • Ineligible members or members with no contract
 Not applicable
Urgent inpatient requests only Call the Blue Cross after-hours urgent hotline at 313-448-3619 for any immediate or urgent need. Call the Blue Cross after-hours urgent hotline at 313-448-3619 for any immediate or urgent need.

Note: Acute initial inpatient admissions may also be submitted through the X12N 278 Health Care Services Review – Request for Review and Response electronic standard transaction.

Additional resources related to the e-referral system are found elsewhere on this website.

Posted: July 2018
Line of business: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan