Stay Informed with Key BCN Updates
The BCN Provider Newsletter is your one-stop resource for staying informed about Blue Care Network (BCN) updates, streamlining your practice, and optimizing patient care. This guide explains how to access, subscribe, and maximize the benefits of this essential resource.
Accessing and Subscribing
Subscribing to the BCN newsletters ensures important updates are delivered directly to your inbox. To subscribe:
- Visit the BCBSM provider newsletter subscription page.
- Select the newsletters relevant to your role and specialty.
- Enter your email address and click “Subscribe.”
To access current and past issues:
- Go to the BCBSM Provider website.
- Navigate to the “Newsletters” section.
- Click “Archives” to browse past issues by year and publication.
For questions or assistance, contact BCN at [email protected].
Newsletter Features and Benefits
BCN offers a range of newsletters tailored to various needs:
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BCN Provider News (Bi-Monthly): This core newsletter provides comprehensive updates on BCN network changes, billing procedures, referrals, authorizations, prescription drugs, products, and medical policies. It serves as an essential guide for providers, office managers, billers, and referral coordinators working with commercial and BCN Advantage plans. Supplemental alerts provide urgent updates between regular issues. An online archive dating back to 2018 is searchable by year and issue.
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The Record (Monthly): Covers both Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) commercial and Medicare Plus Blue plans, offering broader insights into billing, coding, documentation, group coverage, and training opportunities. Though not solely focused on BCN, it offers valuable overlapping information pertinent to BCN providers.
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Blues Brief (Targeted): Provides concise summaries of key takeaways from The Record and BCN Provider News, tailored for specific medical specialties (e.g., physicians, hospitals, oncology, behavioral health, chiropractic). This targeted approach minimizes information overload and maximizes relevance.
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Provider Alerts Weekly: Delivers weekly links to time-sensitive alerts, ensuring providers stay informed between newsletter publications.
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Hospital & Physician Update (Bi-Monthly): A broad overview of policy changes, quality initiatives, and partnership opportunities across BCBSM and BCN plans, specifically valuable for physicians and hospital administrators.
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Value Partnerships Update (As Needed): Focuses on value-based programs (e.g., PGIP, PCMH, CQI), offering resources and meeting registration links for physician organizations and Value Partnership participants. Research suggests these programs may enhance quality and efficiency.
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Dental Care Update (Quarterly): Provides dentists and dental staff with claims filing guidance, program policy updates, and continuing education opportunities.
How the Newsletter Addresses Challenges
The BCN Provider Newsletter helps providers overcome common challenges, including:
- Denied Claims: Provides insights into recent coding updates and policy revisions that may have led to denials.
- Authorization Processes: Offers step-by-step guidance on new or updated authorization procedures.
- Keeping Up with Changes: Delivers timely information on policy modifications, network updates, and referral/authorization procedure changes, reducing the administrative burden and allowing for proactive problem-solving.
Maximizing Newsletter Value
To maximize the newsletter’s benefits:
- Engage Actively: Highlight key takeaways and consider their application to your daily operations.
- Implement Best Practices: Explore and implement suggested best practices for improved efficiency.
- Continuous Learning: View the newsletter as a continuous learning resource, aiding in process refinement and practice improvement.
- Targeted Subscription: Subscribe to newsletters aligned with your specific needs and roles to avoid information overload.
Important Considerations
While the BCN Provider Newsletter strives for accuracy, healthcare information constantly evolves. Ongoing research and policy revisions necessitate consulting official sources for definitive guidance. It is essential to remain adaptable to ongoing changes within the healthcare landscape, and the BCN newsletter helps you do just that.
