Effective January 1, 2007, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Michigan is offering a new Medicare Advantage group plan to Medicare-eligible members of the Michigan Public Schools Employees Retirement System (MPSERS). Many of these retirees are located in Texas. MPSERS members can be identified by the prefix "MQA" on their BCBSM identification card. The MPSERS plan offered by BCBS Michigan is a private fee-for-service plan that combines the benefits of Medicare Part A and B with supplemental coverage into one health care plan.

Under these plans:

• There are no signed contracts with providers or networks
• There are no referral requirements for specialists or other services
• Members may receive care from any provider in the United States who is eligible to be paid under Medicare rules and agrees to become a "deemed" provider.

Claims for this plan should be filed electronically to the local Blues Plan. If you have any questions regarding this coverage and eligibility for this plan, please call 800-676-BLUE (2583).

NOTE: The above Medicare Advantage Plan is not the same as the Blue Medicare PPO plan offered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX). For the BCBSTX Blue Medicare PPO plan, the providers must be a participating in the Blue Medicare PPO network in order for members to receive In Network benefits. Claims for the BCBSTX Blue Medicare PPO plan are filed to Electronic Payor ID CTXPPO or mailed to Blue Medicare PPO, P. O. Box 3567 Scranton, PA 18503. For questions regarding provider participation in Blue Medicare PPO, please call 713-663-1149 or 1-800-637-0171 in the Houston/Beaumont area or 915-496-6600, select option 2, in the El Paso area.

Please check the member's ID card to determine the member's Medicare Advantage plan before providing services to the member.