Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts
Massachusetts • Traditional Indemnity, Medicare Advantage, EPO
Under this indemnity prefix, the member has fee-for-service coverage. There is no provider network, no referral requirement, and no primary care physician gatekeeper. Claims are processed based on the plan's fee schedule. While less common than managed care plans, indemnity coverage is still offered by some BCBS companies.
This prefix is associated with Medicare Advantage. MA plans combine hospital (Part A) and medical (Part B) coverage, and many include prescription drug coverage (Part D). When billing, confirm whether the plan uses the same payer ID for MA claims as for commercial claims, as many BCBS companies use separate IDs.
EPO coverage under this prefix means the member must use network providers but does not need referrals for specialist visits. This plan type is becoming more common as it offers lower premiums than PPO plans while providing more flexibility than HMOs. Verify network status before providing services.
Independent licensee serving Massachusetts members with commercial, Medicare and Medicaid plans.