Continuity of Care request process
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This document governs BCBSND members' eligibility, request, and submission process to continue receiving covered services from an out-of-network provider for specified clinical situations; it affects BCBSND members and their treating providers.
No material clinical or coverage changes in this revision.
Continuity of Care Eligibility
Continuity of Care eligibility and submission
Eligibility is determined by an affirmative answer to ANY question in Section 1 plus completion of Section 3 by the treating provider with supporting documentation and signatures.
ONE of
- Member answers YES to any Section 1 question: at least 3 months pregnant or delivered <6 weeks ago
- Member answers YES to high‑risk pregnancy (Section 1 Q2)
- Member is receiving non‑surgical cancer treatment (radiation, chemotherapy) (Section 1 Q3) — provide date of last treatment
- Member is receiving surgical cancer treatment (Section 1 Q4) — provide date of last surgery
- Member is receiving active treatment for HIV/AIDS (Section 1 Q5) — provide date of last treatment
- Member is receiving active treatment for severe or end‑stage kidney disease or dialysis (Section 1 Q6) — provide date of last treatment
- Member has recent bone marrow or organ transplant or is on waiting list (Section 1 Q7) — provide date of last treatment
- Member is currently receiving inpatient services (Section 1 Q8) — provide facility name and date of admission
- Member is receiving outpatient or inpatient mental health or substance use services by a licensed provider (Section 1 Q9) — provide provider name and date last seen
- Member is receiving treatment for a serious or terminal condition, non‑elective surgery, or other life‑threatening condition not described above (Section 1 Q10) — provide provider name, date last seen and detailed description of condition
ALL of the following
- Provider must provide: Provider Name, NPI, phone, fax, address, Date of Last Visit, Date of Next Scheduled Appointment, Frequency of Visits, Diagnosis, Expected Length of Treatment, Facility Name, Current and Planned Treatment/Comments
- If maternity, provider must include expected date of delivery
ALL of the following
- Ensure entire form is completed and signed by member and treating provider before submission
- Submit completed form to BCBSND via mail or fax for review; BCBSND will approve or deny the Request for Continuity of Care
ALL of the following
- If eligible, services may be continued at the participating in‑network benefit level for a specified duration determined by the eligibility event and expected length of treatment provided by the provider
ALL of the following
- If member answered NO to all Section 1 questions, provider does not need to complete Section 3 and the continuity request is not applicable
Coding and Benefit Level
Request and Provider Documentation Requirements
Complete Sections 1–3 and sign before submitting; mail or fax the form to BCBSND
Member must complete Section 1 and, if eligible, complete Section 2. The treating provider must complete Section 3 and sign the form before submission. Mail or fax the fully completed and signed form to BCBSND for review; BCBSND will notify the member of approval or denial.
- Member: complete Section 1 and, if you answered YES to any question in Section 1, complete Section 2 and sign the form. [[DO NOT include chunk references in body]]
- Provider: complete all of Section 3 (provider name, NPI, contact info, dates of visits, diagnosis, expected length of treatment, expected delivery date if maternity, current and planned treatment) and sign before submission.
- Submit the fully completed form by mail to: Blue Cross Blue Shield of North Dakota, ATTN: Continuity of Care - Utilization Management, 4510 13th Avenue South, Fargo, ND 58121-0001 or by fax to (701) 277-2253.
- BCBSND will review the submitted information and notify the member of the decision to approve or deny the Request for Continuity of Care.
Key Definitions
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