Medical Care Appeals and Grievances

You have a right to ask us to provide or pay for items or services you think should be covered, provided or continued. A coverage decision is a decision we make about your benefits and coverage or about the amount we will pay for your medical services or drugs. When a coverage decision involves your medical care, it is called an "organization determination."

If you want to know if we will cover a medical service before you get it, you can ask us to make a coverage decision for you. You or your doctor can ask for a coverage decision if you aren’t sure if your plan covers a medical service or if care is refused for a medical service you think that you need. If you disagree with this coverage decision, you can make an appeal (see "Filing a Medical Appeal" section below).

Your physician or an office staff member may request a medical prior authorization by calling Customer Service toll free at:

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage plans: 1-877-774-8592 (TTY 711)

You can also fax the request to: 1-855-874-4711

Or mail the request to:
Blue Cross Medicare Advantage
c/o UM Intake
P.O. Box 4288
Scranton, PA 18505

Appeals: You can ask for an appeal if coverage or payment for an item or medical service is denied that you think should be covered.

By Mail or by Fax: You may file an appeal in writing by sending a letter or fax:

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage
c/o Appeals
P.O. Box 663099
Dallas, TX 75266

Fax Number:
1-800-419-2009

You will receive a written response to your appeal as quickly as your case requires based on your health status, but no later than 30 calendar days after we receive your appeal for medical service authorization or no later than 60 calendar days after we receive your appeal for payment. We may add to the timeframe by up to 14 calendar days if you request the extension, or if we justify a need for more information and the delay is in your best interest. When we extend the deadline, we will immediately let you know the reason(s) for the delay in writing.

Expedited Appeals

You can ask for an expedited (fast) appeal if:

• Coverage was denied and your health requires a quick response, or
• You think that your covered services in a skilled nursing facility, home health or comprehensive outpatient rehabilitation facility is ending too soon.

By Fax or by Phone: You may file an expedited appeal in writing by sending a fax.

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage
c/o Expedited Appeals

Fax Number:
1-800-338-2227

You may also file an expedited appeal by phone.

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage
Member Services

Phone Number:
1-877-774-8592 (TTY 711)

You will get a written response to your expedited appeal as quickly as your case requires based on your health status, but no later than 72 hours after we receive your expedited appeal. We may add to the timeframe by up to 14 calendar days if you request the extension, or if we justify a need for more information and the delay is in your best interest. When we extend the deadline, we will immediately let you know the reason(s) for the delay in writing.

You can file a grievance if you have a complaint about the quality of care you receive, the timeliness of services, or any other concern except for the coverage or payment issues listed above. If you have coverage issues related to medical or pharmacy services, or if you or your appointed representative wish to file a grievance, please contact Customer Service.

You may also contact Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Member Services if you want information about the number of appeals, grievances, or exceptions filed with the plan.

Types of Problems That Might Lead to You Filing a Grievance

The following issues may be reasons to file a grievance.

• You feel that you’re being encouraged to leave (disenroll from) our plan.
• Problems with the customer service you receive.
• Problems with how long you wait on the phone or in the pharmacy or medical office.
• Disrespectful or rude behavior by pharmacists or other medical staff.
• Cleanliness or condition of pharmacy or medical office.
• You disagree with our decision not to expedite your request for an expedited coverage determination or redetermination.
• You believe our notices and other written materials are hard to understand.
• Failure to give you a decision within the required timeframe.
• Failure to forward your case for an independent review if we don’t give you a decision within the required timeframe.
• Failure by the plan sponsor to provide required notices.
• Failure to provide required notices that comply with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) standards.

If you have a grievance, we ask you to first call Customer Service at 1-877-774-8592 (TTY 711).

You can also send us your grievance in writing by mail or by fax.

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage Plan
c/o Grievances
P.O. Box 4288
Scranton, PA 18505

Fax Number:
1-855-674-9189

You must file a grievance with us no later than 60 days after the event or incident in question.

We try to resolve any complaint you have over the phone. If Customer Service cannot resolve your concern over the phone, we have a formal process to review your complaints. We have made this process easy to follow so you will get a timely response. If your concern is not resolved at the time of your first phone call, it will be forwarded to a grievance coordinator to be resolved. Generally, you will be sent a written response to your grievance as quickly as your case requires based on your health status, but no later than 30 calendar days after we get it.

If your grievance involves the quality of the care you received, you will get a written response. We may add to the timeframe by up to 14 calendar days if you request the extension, or if we justify a need for more information and the delay is in your best interest. When we extend the deadline, we will immediately let you know the reason(s) for the delay in writing.

You may file a grievance in writing by sending a letter by mail or by fax telling us about your grievance.

Blue Cross Medicare Advantage
c/o Grievances
P.O. Box 4288
Scranton, PA 18505

Fax Number:
1-855-674-9189

You will receive a written response to your grievance as quickly as your case requires based on your health status, but no later than 30 calendar days after we receive your complaint. We may add to the timeframe by up to 14 calendar days if you request the extension, or if we justify a need for more information and the delay is in your best interest. When we extend the deadline, we will immediately let you know the reason(s) for the delay in writing.

You may choose someone to act on your behalf. This person can be a relative, friend, sponsor, lawyer, or doctor. A court may also appoint someone. You and the person you choose must sign, date, and complete a representative statement.

A request may also be made in a written letter. If you are legally not of sound mind or are incapacitated, the representative can complete and sign the statement. The representative needs to have the appropriate legal papers or legal authority to sign for you. If you choose a lawyer, only you need to sign the representative statement. The representative statement must include your name and Medicare claim number. You can use the CMS Appointment of Representative form (Form CMS-1696-U4) located on the Medicare Advantage Plan Documents page by selecting your plan. You can also use the Social Security Administration Appointment of Representative form (Form SSA-1696-U4) found online or at Social Security offices.

Others may already be authorized under state law to be your representative.

You can contact Medicare for more information about benefits and services, including general information about Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug coverage.

By Phone:
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week

If you are hearing or speech impaired, please call 1-877-486-2048.

Online:
www.medicare.gov

If you would like to submit feedback directly to Medicare, please use the Medicare Complaint Form or contact the Office of the Medicare Ombudsman.