How to submit inpatient authorization requests to Blue Cross and BCN during the April 10 holiday closure and the e-referral weekend software upgrade

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network corporate offices will be closed on Friday, April 10, for Good Friday. In addition, the e-referral system will be unavailable this weekend for a software upgrade.

See below for what to do during these occurrences. Note that all times are Eastern time.

IMPORTANT! For urgent requests, always call the after-hours number 1-800-851-3904 when the phone lines are not available.

Date What's happening What to do (options in order of preference)
Friday, April 10 - Good Friday holiday closure and e-referral software upgrade begins The e-referral system will be available but only until 6 p.m.
  • Before 6 p.m., submit requests using e-referral.
  • After 6 p.m.:
    • Wait until Monday at 6 a.m. to use e-referral.
    • Fax requests using the information shown below.
Saturday, April 11 - e-referral software upgrade continues The e-referral system will not be available at all.
  • Wait until Monday at 6 a.m. to use e-referral.
  • Fax requests using the information shown below.
  • Between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.:
    • Call inpatient Medicare Plus BlueSM PPO and BCN AdvantageSM requests in to 1-866-807-4811.
    • Call inpatient Blue Cross’ PPO and BCN HMOSM requests in to 1-877-399-1673.
Sunday, April 12 - e-referral software upgrade continues The e-referral system will not be available at all.
  • Wait until Monday at 6 a.m. to use e-referral.
  • Fax requests using the information shown below.
Monday, April 13 - e-referral software upgrade ends The e-referral system will be available starting at 6 a.m.
  • Submit requests using e-referral starting at 6 a.m.

Reminder: We've suspended clinical review requirements for acute care medical admissions and transfers to skilled nursing facilities through May 31, 2020, due to the COVID-19 crisis.

This means that all authorization requests for acute inpatient medical admissions and transfers to skilled nursing facilities will be approved without clinical review. However, you'll still need to submit an authorization request, which will serve as plan notification. Requests received via phone or fax on the April 10 holiday or over the weekend will be entered into the e-referral system by our Utilization Management staff on Monday. Your approval will be available in the system by Monday night.

For more information refer to the COVID-19 utilization management changes (PDF) document.

Fax numbers

Type of request Line of business / fax number / other information
Acute inpatient admissions and continued stays
  • Blue Cross' PPO: Fax to 1-800-482-1713
  • BCN HMO: Fax to 1-866-313-8433
  • Medicare Plus Blue: Fax to 1-866-464-8223
  • BCN Advantage: Fax to 1 866 526 1326

    • Note: You can also submit requests through the X12N 278 Health Care Services Review - Request for Review and Response electronic standard transaction.
Sick and ill newborns
  • Blue Cross’ PPO: Fax to 1-800-482-1713
  • BCN HMO: Fax to 1 866 313 8433
Post-acute care admissions
Other requests
  • Blue Cross' PPO: Fax the following requests to 1-800-482-1713:
    • Federal Employee Program® members with contract eligibility issues
    • Ineligible members or members with no contract

Posted: April 2020
Lines of business: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network