Medicare Advantage PPO network response positive, deadline extended
BCBSM would like to thank the thousands of practitioners and facilities who submitted signed Medicare PPO contracts before the original Dec. 17, 2008 deadline. We were extremely pleased to see how many of our current providers wanted to join the network.

However, we recognize that there may have been extenuating circumstances that caused some to miss the deadline (possible mailing delays, decreased staffing issues related to the holidays, etc). As a result, we decided to give a final extension of the deadline to return your signed MA PPO contract to Jan. 31, 2009.

After that date, we will review our network needs to determine if additional providers or specialties are needed in certain geographic areas. We will also allow new providers or certain additional provider types to apply who were not included in the initial contract offers. Information on which additional provider types will be included in the network will be published in subsequent issues of Physician Update or on web-DENIS once benefit designs are finalized.

Where to send the documents
You can return your signed signature documents to us in the following ways:

• Practitioners should fax the completed signature document to 866-698-9141 or e-mail to MedicarePPO-Professional@bcbsm.com.
• Facilities should fax the completed signature document to 866-698-9142 or e-mail to MedicarePPO-Facility@bcbsm.com.
• Practitioners and facilities can also mail their completed signature documents to:
  MA-PPO Network Contracting — Mail Code B717
  Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
  600 E. Lafayette Blvd.
  Detroit, MI 48226

For additional details, see the December 2008 issue of The Record, page 4. If you have any further questions, please call the Medicare Advantage PPO Network Contracting Call Center at 877-674-1246 or send inquiries via e-mail to the two e-mail boxes listed above.