Blue Care Network of Michigan: Transition policy

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Transition policy

For more information call:
877-469-2583
TTY 800-481-8704
Seven days a week
8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Time

New members in our plan may be taking drugs that aren't on our formulary or that are subject to certain restrictions, such as prior authorization or step therapy. Current members may also be affected by changes in our formulary from one year to the next. Members should talk to their doctors to decide if they should switch to a different drug that we cover or request a formulary exception in order to get coverage for the drug. See your Evidence of Coverage to learn more about how to request an exception. Please contact Customer Service if your drug is not on our formulary, is subject to certain restrictions, such as prior authorization or step therapy, or will no longer be on our formulary next year and you need help switching to a different drug that we cover or requesting a formulary exception.

During the period of time members are talking to their doctors to determine the right course of action, we may provide a temporary supply of the non-formulary drug if those members need a refill for the drug during the first 90 days of new membership in our plan. If you are a current member affected by a formulary change from one year to the next, we will provide a temporary supply of the non-formulary drug if you need a refill for the drug during the first 90 days of the new plan year. When a member goes to a network pharmacy and we provide a temporary supply of a drug that isn't on our formulary, or that has coverage restrictions or limits (but is otherwise considered a "Part D drug"), we will cover a 34-day supply (unless the prescription is written for fewer days). After we cover the temporary 34-day supply, we generally will not pay for these drugs as part of our transition policy again. We will provide you with a written notice after we cover your temporary supply. This notice will explain the steps you can take to request an exception and how to work with your doctor to decide if you should switch to an appropriate drug that we cover.

If a new member is a resident of a long-term-care facility (like a nursing home), we will cover a temporary 34-day transition supply (unless the prescription is written for fewer days). If necessary, we will cover more than one refill of these drugs during the first 90 days a new member is enrolled in our plan. If the resident has been enrolled in our plan for more than 90 days and needs a drug that isn't on our formulary or is subject to other restrictions,such as step therapy or dosage limits, we will cover a temporary 34-day emergency supply of that drug (unless the prescription is for fewer days) while the new member pursues a formulary exception. Please note that our transition policy applies only to those drugs that are "Part D drugs" and bought at a network pharmacy. The transition policy can't be used to buy a non-Part D drug or a drug out-of-network, unless you qualify for out-of-network access. See your Evidence of Coverage for information about non-Part D drugs.

Important information about this plan

BCN Advantage HMO is available in these counties: Allegan, Barry, Bay, Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Gratiot, Ingham, Ionia, Jackson, Kalamazoo, Kent, Lapeer, Livingston, Macomb, Midland, Monroe, Montcalm, Muskegon, Newaygo, Oakland, Oceana, Ottawa, Saginaw, Shiawassee, St. Clair, Tuscola, Van Buren, Washtenaw and Wayne. Premiums vary by county. You must continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium.

You must use plan providers except in emergent or urgent care situations or for out-of-area renal dialysis. If you obtain routine care from out-of-network providers neither Medicare nor BCN Advantage HMO will be responsible for the costs. Out-of-network services authorized by BCN Advantage HMO will be covered.

If you are enrolled in BCN Advantage HMO Option 2 or Option 3, you must use a network pharmacy to access your prescription drug benefit, except under non-routine circumstances when you cannot reasonably use a network pharmacy. Our pharmacy network includes the majority of chain pharmacies, mail order through Medco or Walgreens, as well as long-term care and home infusion pharmacies. For additional information on network pharmacies, please call Customer Service at 800-450-3680, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. TTY users should call 800-430-3211. You may also write to: BCN Advantage HMO, 2311 Green Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105.

The BCN Advantage HMO benefit information provided is not comprehensive. Additional information should be requested before making a decision about your coverage. For full information on BCN Advantage HMO benefits, current members should call our Customer Service department at 800-450-3680, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. TTY users should call 800-430-3211. Prospective members should call 877-469-2583, from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., seven days a week. TTY users should call 800-481-8704.

Benefits, formulary, pharmacy, network, premium and/or coinsurance may change on Jan. 1, 2011. Please contact BCN Advantage HMO for details.

If you decide to have your BCN Advantage HMO premium withheld from your Social Security check or deducted from your checking or savings account, it may take up to three months for the automatic deduction to begin. If your premium amount is currently withheld from your Social Security check or deducted from your checking or savings account and you wish to receive a monthly bill instead, the change may also take up to three months to become effective. During this time, you will be responsible for paying your premium.

BCN Advantage HMO is issued by Blue Care Network, which contracts with the federal government. BCN Advantage HMO’s contract with CMS is renewed annually and the availability of coverage beyond the end of the contract year is not guaranteed.

BCN Advantage HMO is a health plan with a Medicare contract.

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page modified 11/05/2009