Icon of a blue paper with a pencil in the bottom corner

Referrals & Authorizations: Blue Cross Prior Authorizations

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network require prior authorization for certain procedures to ensure that members get the right care at the right time and in the right location.

Health care providers must submit both prior authorization requests and plan notifications before providing services. For more information, see the e-referral User Guide.Icon of a PDF for download or viewing in browser.

A healthcare professional in a hospital talks on the phone while pointing to a pad of paper.

Prior authorization information

For Blue Cross Commercial Members only

For Medicare Plus Blue PPO Members only

Prior authorization criteria and preview questionnaires for select services

We use our authorization criteria or our medical policies to make determinations on prior authorization requests for select services. To determine which services have authorization criteria and view authorization criteria and preview questionnaires, see the Authorization criteria and preview questionnaires Icon of a PDF for download or viewing in browser..

Utilization management forms

You can find links to forms related to utilization management on our Provider Resources site. To access the forms:

  1. Log in to our provider portal (availity.com).
  2. Click Payer Spaces on the menu bar and then click the BCBSM and BCN logo.
  3. Click the Resources tab.
  4. Click Secure Provider Resources (Blue Cross and BCN).
  5. Click the Forms menu and make the appropriate selection.

Note: For utilization management information for Blue Cross Complete, go to MiBlueCrossComplete.com/providers.

Documents and forms for noncontracted or non-Michigan providers