Providers must submit musculoskeletal authorization requests to TurningPoint for URMBT non-Medicare members

Last year, we announced that health care providers needed to submit prior authorization requests for all orthopedic, pain management and spinal procedures to TurningPoint as part of Blue Cross' Musculoskeletal Surgical Quality & Safety Management Program. This originally affected most Blue Cross and all BCN members.

UAW Retiree Medical Benefits Trust, or URMBT, non-Medicare members will need prior authorization requests for these procedures that are scheduled on or after May 31, 2021. Health care providers will be able to submit prior authorization requests to TurningPoint starting May 3, 2021.

Where to find more information

As a reminder about the details of the program, see this article in the January 2021 issue of The Record and this article from the July 2020 issue of The Record.

For more information about TurningPoint, see the following pages on the ereferrals.bcbsm.com website:

• Blue Cross Musculoskeletal Services
• BCN Musculoskeletal Services

To view the lists of codes for which TurningPoint manages authorizations, see Musculoskeletal procedure codes that require authorization by TurningPoint (PDF).

For detailed information, see Musculoskeletal procedure authorizations: Frequently asked questions for providers (PDF).

Posted: April 2021
Line of business: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan