Update: We'll stop accepting faxed requests for commercial SNF admissions starting June 1
Starting June 1, 2022, we'll stop accepting prior authorization requests for commercial skilled nursing facility admissions that are submitted by fax. These requests must be submitted through the e-referral system.
This applies to SNF requests for initial admissions and additional days for Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network commercial members.
We previously communicated that we’d stop accepting faxed requests on Jan. 1, 2022, but we’re allowing additional time for SNFs to sign up for access to the e referral system and learn how to use it.Starting June 1, we'll accept faxes only for urgent requests when the e-referral system is not available. In those instances, fax the form using the instructions on the document titled e-referral system planned downtimes and what to do (PDF).
Earlier communications
In September 2020, we first communicated about the requirement to use the e-referral system to submit prior authorization requests for commercial SNF admissions. This requirement went into effect on Dec. 1, 2020.
Since then, we’ve communicated about this requirement several more times, in the form of web-DENIS messages, news items on our ereferrals.bcbsm.com website, and articles in The Record and BCN Provider News.
Sign up now to use the e-referral system
Refer to our ereferrals.bcbsm.com website:
- To sign up for the e-referral system: Follow the instructions on the Sign Up or Change a User page.
- To learn how to use the e-referral system: Refer to the Training Tools page, where you’ll find the e-referral User Guide (PDF) and Online self-paced learning modules.
Do's and don'ts when submitting through the e-referral system
For tips on how to make it easier to use the e-referral system when submitting commercial SNF prior authorization requests, refer to the article we published in the May 2021 issue of The Record titled Do's and don'ts when submitting commercial SNF requests using the e-referral system.
Submit Medicare Advantage requests to naviHealth
naviHealth manages prior authorization requests for SNF admissions for our Medicare Plus BlueSM and BCN AdvantageSM members.
Posted: March 2022
Lines of business: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network