Blue Care Network Podiatry Coverage & Referral Rules

Quick answer: Blue Care Network Podiatry Coverage Referral affects roughly 1 in 4 adults in our practice. Effective treatment starts with a targeted diagnosis, conservative-first treatment, and escalation only when needed. We treat this regularly at our Howell and Bloomfield Township practices. Call (810) 206-1402.

Blue Care Network Podiatry Coverage — Do You Need a Referral?

If you have Blue Care Network (BCN) insurance — BCBS Michigan’s HMO product — you have podiatry coverage, but there’s an important step: you typically need a referral from your primary care physician (PCP) before seeing a podiatrist. Here’s how to navigate the process smoothly.

Why BCN Requires a Referral

As an HMO (Health Maintenance Organization), BCN coordinates all specialty care through your PCP. This managed care model means all specialist visits — including podiatry — require prior authorization through a PCP referral. Without a referral, BCN will not cover the specialist visit.

How to Get Your BCN Referral to a Podiatrist

1. Call your BCN-designated PCP’s office
2. Explain your foot problem and that you need a referral to a podiatrist
3. Request that the referral be made to Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Howell (4330 E Grand River Ave) or Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208)
4. Confirm the referral has been submitted to BCN
5. Call us at (810) 206-1402 with your referral number and schedule your appointment

Blue Care Network vs. Blue Cross Blue Shield — What’s the Difference?

Blue Care Network (BCN) is the HMO arm of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. The key difference is that BCN requires a referral from your primary care physician (PCP) before seeing a specialist. In exchange, BCN typically offers lower premiums and copays than BCBS PPO plans. If you have a BCBS PPO plan, you can book directly without a referral.

What BCN Covers Once You Have Your Referral

• All medically necessary podiatric evaluation and treatment
• Podiatric surgery (requires prior authorization in addition to referral)
• In-office X-rays and ultrasound
• Diabetic foot care and wound management
• Injections and conservative treatments
• Custom orthotics with medical necessity documentation

Typical BCN Podiatry Costs

With a valid referral, your specialist copay is typically $30-$50 per visit. Surgery and advanced procedures may require pre-authorization and have different cost-sharing.

Is Balance Foot & Ankle In-Network with BCN?

Yes — we are in-network with Blue Care Network. Confirm current network participation when you call (810) 206-1402, as network status can change.

📞 Have your BCN referral and ready to book? Call (810) 206-1402.

Blue Care Network Podiatry: Does BCN Require a Referral to See a Podiatrist in Michigan?

Reviewed by Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM, FACFAS

Board-certified foot & ankle surgeon · 3,000+ surgeries · @MichiganFootDoctors (950K+ subscribers)

Last reviewed May 11, 2026 · (810) 206-1402

Blue Care Network (BCN), the HMO arm of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, requires most members to select a Primary Care Physician (PCP) and obtain a referral before seeing a specialist. Whether a BCN referral is required to see a podiatrist depends on the specific BCN plan: some BCN plans (particularly BCN Advantage Medicare plans and certain employer-sponsored designs) allow direct access to podiatry as a specialty without PCP referral, while traditional BCN HMO plans require a referral. BCN members should check their plan’s Summary of Benefits or call the BCN member services number to confirm whether a referral is needed before scheduling with Balance Foot & Ankle. If a referral is required and the member schedules without one, the visit may be denied or processed at out-of-network cost-sharing.

For BCN members who need a referral to see a podiatrist, the process is straightforward: contact your PCP’s office, describe your foot or ankle concern, and request a referral to a podiatrist. Most PCPs refer readily for symptomatic foot conditions, and the BCN referral is typically processed electronically within 1–2 business days. Once the referral is active in the BCN system, schedule your appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle and bring your BCN insurance card. Our Howell and Bloomfield Township offices are BCN-participating providers for most plan designs — our insurance verification team at (810) 206-1402 can confirm participation for your specific BCN plan and advise on referral requirements before you begin the referral process with your PCP.

BCN members who receive a referral from their PCP to see a podiatrist should confirm the referral is active in the BCN system before their appointment — BCN processes referrals electronically, and the podiatry office can verify the referral is on file when you call to schedule. If the referral has not yet been processed, scheduling slightly in advance gives time for the referral to clear before the appointment date. BCN members with complex foot conditions who need multiple specialist visits (follow-up appointments, procedure visits, post-surgical checks) should also confirm with their PCP that the referral covers multiple visits rather than a single consultation. Balance Foot & Ankle‘s front desk at (810) 206-1402 is experienced with BCN referral workflows and can guide patients through the process.

Related Treatment Guides

• Plantar Fasciitis & Heel Pain Treatment
• Custom 3D Orthotics
• Sports Foot & Ankle Injury Treatment
• Bunion Treatment

Michigan patients experiencing foot or ankle problems can schedule an appointment at Balance Foot & Ankle — with locations in Howell (4330 E Grand River) and Bloomfield Township (43494 Woodward Ave #208). Call (810) 206-1402 for same-week availability.

In-Office Treatment at Balance Foot & Ankle

If home treatment isn’t providing relief for your foot condition, our podiatry team at Balance Foot & Ankle can help with same-day evaluations and advanced in-office care.

Medical References & Sources

• American Podiatric Medical Association — Patient Education
• American Orthopaedic Foot & Ankle Society — Foot Conditions

Your Board-Certified Podiatrists

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Board-Certified · FACFAS

Dr. Carl Jay, DPM

Board-Certified Podiatrist

Dr. Daria Gutkin, DPM

Podiatrist

Podiatrist-Recommended Foot Care Products

Whether or not your insurance covers every visit, having the right foot care products at home can reduce the frequency of podiatry appointments and help you stay comfortable between visits. Dr. Biernacki recommends these clinically-tested products to his own patients.

Learn more: Custom 3D Orthotics at Balance Foot & Ankle | Insurance & Costs at Our Office | New Patient Information

Related Conditions

Book an appointment with a podiatrist

Referral rules are easier to work through once you know what you are being referred for. If your foot or ankle is the reason you are reading this, an exam is the step that identifies the problem and what it needs. Balance Foot & Ankle sees patients at two offices — Howell in Livingston County, and Bloomfield Township in Oakland County.

Call (810) 206-1402 or use the form below and our team will find you an appointment time.

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Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM

Dr. Tom Biernacki, DPM is a board-certified foot & ankle surgeon (ABFAS & ABPM) at Balance Foot & Ankle Specialists in Southeast Michigan. With over a decade of clinical experience, he specializes in heel pain, bunions, diabetic foot care, sports injuries, and minimally invasive surgery. Dr. Biernacki is a member of the APMA and ACFAS, and his patient education content on MichiganFootDoctors.com and YouTube has made him one of the most-followed foot & ankle educators on YouTube.