Referrals & Authorizations: BCN Global Referrals

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

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 documents:

• Michigan providers: BCN global referral, plan notification and prior authorization requirements — Look in the "Global referrals" section.
• e-referral User Guide
• Referrals to the University of Michigan Health System and Henry Ford Health System:
• Referrals to these two health systems require using specialty group NPIs rather than referring to an individual practitioner. See Specialty Group NPIs (for referrals)