The Michigan State Medical Society received notification of important updates from Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) and the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Read below to learn more about the temporary closure of BCBSM’s provider consultant inquiry mailbox and CMS’s updated guidance to all Medicare Administrative Contractors as the federal shutdown continues.
BCBSM Consultant Inquiry Mailbox Temporarily Closed for Providers in East, Mid and Southeast Regions
On Monday, October 13, 2025, the BCBSM provider consultant inquiry mailbox (petcontactus@bcbsm.com) temporarily closed. They anticipate resuming regular operations in approximately 6 weeks and will communicate the reopen date as we get closer to it. This closure affects providers in the East, Mid and Southeast regions.
During the temporary closure, the provider consultant team in the East, Mid and Southeast regions that normally handles the mailbox will not be responding to any inquiry received on or after October 13, 2025, nor will any inquiry be queued during this time. You can resume submitting requests that include all required information outlined in the quick reference guide when it reopens.
What will happen to inquiries received prior to October. 13, 2025?
Our provider consultants on the mailbox team are actively working to resolve all outstanding inquiries. Once completed, we will send you an email notification detailing the outcome and any next steps, if applicable.
What can you do during this temporary closure?
Continue to work with the appropriate Blue Cross contacts to resolve your request. To locate your first point-of-contact, you can review the Provider resource guide at a glance. Additionally, you can use self-help tools and the following resources to help you resolve your inquiries:
CMS Federal Shutdown Guidance (Information updated 10/20/25)
As the federal government shutdown continues, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued updated guidance instructing all Medicare Administrative Contractors to continue to temporarily hold claims with dates of service of October 1, 2025, and later for services impacted by the expired Medicare legislative payment provisions passed under the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025. In light of the continuing government shutdown, CMS will continue to process and pay held claims in a timely manner with the exception of select claims for services impacted by the expired provisions. To date, no payments have been delayed as statute already requires all claims to be held for a minimum of fourteen days, and this recent hold is consistent with that statutory requirement. Providers may continue to submit claims accordingly.
As a reminder, telehealth flexibilities have lapsed for care to all patients except those being treated for mental health or substance use disorders. Additionally, the 1.0 work geographic practice cost index (GPCI) floor also expired. More information from CMS is below.
Claims Hold Update
Absent Congressional action, beginning October 1, 2025, many of the statutory limitations that were in place for Medicare telehealth services prior to the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency took effect again for services that are not behavioral health services. These include prohibition of many services provided to beneficiaries in their homes and outside of rural areas, and hospice recertifications that require a face-to-face encounter. In the absence of Congressional action, practitioners who choose to perform telehealth services that are not payable by Medicare on or after October 1, 2025, may want to evaluate providing beneficiaries with an Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN). Further information on use of the ABN, including ABN forms and form instructions. Practitioners should monitor Congressional action and may choose to hold claims associated with telehealth services that are not payable by Medicare in the absence of Congressional action. Follow this link for further information.
CMS notes that the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018 allows clinicians in applicable Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) to provide and receive payment for covered telehealth services to certain Medicare beneficiaries without geographic restriction and in the beneficiary’s home. There is no special application or approval process for applicable ACOs or their ACO participants or ACO providers/suppliers. Clinicians in applicable ACOs can furnish and receive payment for covered telehealth services under these special telehealth flexibilities. Follow this link for more information.