As a reminder, Independence requires you to direct members and/or their lab specimens to a participating outpatient laboratory provider, with the following exceptions:

• in an emergency;
• as otherwise described in the applicable Benefit Program Requirements;
• as otherwise required by law.

Please note the following information specific to various types of benefits plans:

• For HMO/POS members. All routine laboratory services for HMO/POS members must be referred to their primary care physician?s (PCP) capitated laboratory site. In the unusual circumstance that you require a specific test that you believe the PCP?s capitated laboratory site can?t perform, call Customer Service at 1-800-ASK-BLUE, as preapproval is required to issue a referral to a laboratory other than the member?s capitated laboratory.
• For PPO members. PPO members should use a participating laboratory, such as Laboratory Corporation of America^® Holdings (LabCorp), to maximize their benefits and save on out-of-pocket costs. PPO members may use a nonparticipating laboratory, but they will pay the out-of-network level of cost-sharing (copayment, coinsurance, deductible) and will be subject to provider balance billing. In the unusual circumstance that specific services are not available through a participating laboratory, providers must call Customer Service at 1-800-ASK-BLUE to obtain preapproval.

Contractual obligation to use participating providers

In accordance with your Independence Provider Agreement, except in an emergency, a participating provider should refer members only to participating providers for covered services. This includes, but is not limited to, ancillary services such as laboratory and radiology, unless the provider has obtained preapproval from Independence for the use of a nonparticipating laboratory.

Noncompliance may result in financial and other implications for your practice

When applicable under the terms of your Independence Provider Agreement, if a provider continues to direct members and/or their lab specimens to a nonparticipating laboratory and does not obtain preapproval from Independence, the ordering provider is required to hold the member harmless.

The ordering provider will be responsible for any and all costs to the member and shall reimburse the member for such costs or be subject to claims offset by Independence for such costs. In addition, further non-compliance may result in immediate termination of your Independence Provider Agreement.

Exception to the use of nonparticipating providers permitted under the terms of your agreement

If a provider (1) refers a member to a nonparticipating laboratory for non-emergent services without obtaining preapproval from Independence to do so; (2) sends a member?s lab specimen to a nonparticipating laboratory without preapproval; or (3) provides or orders noncovered services for a member, the provider must inform the member in advance, in writing, of the following:

• a list of the services to be provided;
• that Independence will not pay for or be liable for the listed services;
• that the member will be financially responsible for such services.

Member Consent for Financial Responsibility for Unreferred/Non-Covered Services Form

Providers should also be aware of the coverage status of the tests they order and should notify the member in advance if a service is considered experimental/ investigational or is otherwise non-covered by Independence.

Note: Members who have out-of-network benefits (e.g., PPO) may choose to use a nonparticipating laboratory for a medically necessary service, but they may have greater out-of-pocket costs associated with that service. In addition, the member will be financially responsible for the entire cost of any service that is non-covered (e.g., experimental/investigational).

If you have any questions related to the referral process for laboratory services, please contact your Network Coordinator.