Referrals & Authorizations: BCN Global Referrals

BCN Advantage^SM and BCN commercial point of service, or POS, products don't require global referrals. The e-referral system and the 278 electronic standard transaction are programmed to remind providers that global referrals are not accepted for members with these plans.

For members with other BCN commercial plans, global referrals are requested by primary care providers so the member can see a specialist. Primary care providers should submit global referral requests to BCN through the e-referral system. For more information, see the e-referral User Guide.

Health care providers must follow the global referral requirements that apply to the region in which their medical care group is headquartered.

• When the primary care provider's medical care group is headquartered in the Mid, West or Upper Peninsula region, global referrals aren’t required.
• When the primary care provider's medical care group is headquartered in the East or Southeast region, global referrals are required.

See the interactive Provider Consultant Regions map.

For additional information, see the document BCN referral and authorization requirements for Michigan providers. Look in the "Global referrals" section.