What Do I Need to Know About the Different Blue Cross Networks?
A network is a group of doctors and hospitals that accept a certain health insurance plan. Knowing what your network is and how it works is important. You’ll choose your health care providers based on who is part of your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan or Blue Care Network health plan’s network.
Our Premier plans have a PPO network. So do most of our Blue Dental plans. That means you can take advantage of the largest network of providers and hospitals in Michigan.
You can choose any doctor or dentist you want, both in and out of network, and still be covered. But you’ll pay less when you go to a health care professional or facility in our network.
We have different HMO networks throughout the state. Some are broad and include doctors and hospitals in almost every county in Michigan. Others are small and based in a certain geographic area.
For example, with our Preferred plans, you have access to our entire HMO network, which includes doctors and hospitals in all Michigan counties. Some health health plans have smaller networks because they're limited to certain regions. These are usually our Local, Metro and Partnered plans.
When you have an HMO plan, you choose a primary care provider from your plan's network. They coordinate your care and refer you to specialists in the network.
If you have a Metro Detroit HMO, you'll need to select a primary care provider who participates in that network. The Metro Detroit HMO is part of our larger HMO network. For any care within the extended network, you'll need approval from your physician and health plan.
HMO plans don't cover care outside the network, except in an emergency.
Local health insurance networks are just what they sound like. They're networks of doctors and hospitals focused in certain geographic areas.
We offer local HMO plans in Metro Detroit. With these health plans, you'll need to get care from doctors and hospitals in your network. We'll only cover care out of your network if you have a medical emergency or accidental injury.
Because the networks are smaller, you'll save money on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. These health plans might be a good option for you if you don't travel away from home often.
Our Premier plans have a PPO network. So do most of our Blue Dental plans. That means you can take advantage of the largest network of providers and hospitals in Michigan.
You can choose any doctor or dentist you want, both in and out of network, and still be covered. But you’ll pay less when you go to a health care professional or facility in our network.
We have different HMO networks throughout the state. Some are broad and include doctors and hospitals in almost every county in Michigan. Others are small and based in a certain geographic area.
For example, with our Preferred plans, you have access to our entire HMO network, which includes doctors and hospitals in all Michigan counties. Some health health plans have smaller networks because they're limited to certain regions. These are usually our Local, Metro and Partnered plans.
When you have an HMO plan, you choose a primary care provider from your plan's network. They coordinate your care and refer you to specialists in the network.
If you have a Metro Detroit HMO, you'll need to select a primary care provider who participates in that network. The Metro Detroit HMO is part of our larger HMO network. For any care within the extended network, you'll need approval from your physician and health plan.
HMO plans don't cover care outside the network, except in an emergency.
Local health insurance networks are just what they sound like. They're networks of doctors and hospitals focused in certain geographic areas.
We offer local HMO plans in Metro Detroit. With these health plans, you'll need to get care from doctors and hospitals in your network. We'll only cover care out of your network if you have a medical emergency or accidental injury.
Because the networks are smaller, you'll save money on monthly premiums and out-of-pocket costs. These health plans might be a good option for you if you don't travel away from home often.
No matter which health plan you have, the best way to make sure a doctor is in your network is to call and ask them. And don't just tell them you have Blue Cross. Make sure you give them the name of your specific health plan and network.
You can read more about the difference between HMO and PPO plans in our Help Center. And you can get even more detailed information about each your health insurance network options, including a list of participating hospitals, when you’re shopping for individual and family plans.