Our commercial managed care members have benefits for up to six fully covered
nutrition counseling visits per year and for medically necessary diabetic
education. Currently, a referral is required for HMO members to use these
benefits.
Effective December 1, 2011, however, HMO members will no longer need a
referral for these services. This change is an effort to make it easier for all
of our members to use their nutrition counseling and diabetic education
benefits.
For all members, copayments do not apply when using an in-network provider for
these nutritional counseling services. HMO members must use an in-network
provider to take advantage of these benefits; PPO and POS members may use an
out-of-network provider subject to applicable deductibles and coinsurance.
In order to schedule an appointment for nutrition counseling, members should
contact their primary physician or a participating registered dietitian. To
locate a network provider, members can log on to ibxpress.com or call Customer
Service at 1-800-ASK-BLUE.
Note: Only certain providers (i.e., primary care physicians or registered
dietitians) are eligible to provide nutrition counseling services. Appointments
with nutritionists are not a covered benefit.