Out-of-Plan Referral Guidelines
Out-of-plan (OOP) referrals should be requested for BlueShield of Northeastern New York patients only when:
- The patient is outside his or her service area
- Participating providers in the area cannot provide the necessary services
Services must be requested by the patient’s primary care physician or participating specialty provider. A request form for OOP coverage is available here.
The following information is required:
- Office notes, consultation reports, diagnostic studies, and in-plan provider documentation that supports the need for the patient to be seen by an OOP provider
- OOP provider name (requesting provider, assistant surgeon, co-surgeon)
- OOP provider address
- OOP provider specialty
- Planned services CPT® codes, if applicable
- OOP provider assistant/co-surgeon information
Definitions:
Non-participating provider (NPP): A provider (e.g., facility, vendor, physician, or other clinician) who does not participate with any BlueCross/BlueShield plans; claims submitted by an NPP would process to the patient’s out-of-network benefit unless an out-of-plan referral is on file.
Out-of-network provider (OONP): A provider (e.g., facility, vendor, physician, or other clinician) who does not participate with the patient’s home plan, but does participate with the BlueCross/BlueShield plan in the provider’s local area. Claims submitted by an OONP will process to the patient’s out-of-network benefit unless an out-of-plan referral is on file.
Out-of-Network (OON) benefits: Coinsurance, copay, and/or deductible that the patient is financially responsible for when receiving services from a NPP or OONP. Typically, when a patient uses his or her OON benefit, he or she will incur higher out-of-pocket costs.
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