The next time you have any questions about your family's health and your primary care provider is not available, call the Blue Care Line at (888) 247-BLUE (2583).

Please remember, the Blue Care Line is for medical questions only. If you need answers to questions about your health care coverage, call HUGHP Member Service at (617) 495-2008. 

As a HUGHP member, if you disagree with any decision that has been made regarding your medical coverage, you have the right to a formal appeal.

Requests for an appeal or a grievance must be received by Blue Cross Blue Shield within 180 calendar days of the date of treatment, event, or the date you were informed of the denial. Learn more about appealing, grievance review, or filing an appeal.

Appeal and Grievance Form

Some procedures, treatments, and services have medical polices to determine if they are considered medically necessary. Search and view medical polices.

Members can request an official cost estimate to better understand what their out-of-pocket costs might be for a particular service.

Request an estimate from us
 

Visit the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts website and log into MyBlue or call 800-257-8141 for assistance. To help get you started, use the Blue Cross Blue Shield checklist form, which provides guidelines on what information you need in order to receive an estimate. 

Request an estimate from your doctor/provider
 

All providers are required to provide cost estimates for services they provide. Talk to your provider about obtaining an estimate prior to receiving services.

In most cases, your primary care physician coordinates all of your health care needs. If you need to see a specialist, your primary care physician will refer you to a network provider. The specialist is often affiliated with your primary care physician's hospital or medical group.

It is important that you obtain a referral from your primary care physician before you go for specialty care. Otherwise, you may have to pay all costs associated with the appointment. If the specialist you were referred to wants you to see another provider, contact your primary care physician to get a referral for any other visits.

Services that Do Not Require a Referral
 

• Behavioral Health outpatient office visits
• Chiropractor
• Emergency medical care
• Nutrition counseling
• OB/GYN
• Ophthalmologist/Optometrist for routine eye exams only (requires a referral for a diagnostic or sick visit)

POS and POS Plus Members
 

POS and POS Plus members have the flexibility to seek care without a referral and to see providers not in the HUGHP network; however, out-of-pocket costs will be higher.

Learn more about your out-of-network benefits.

Harvard University has partnered with the PillarRx Copay Assistance Program to reduce your costs for certain specialty medications that you and/or your dependents may be taking to manage your health. Learn more about PillarRx.

Learn to Live offers confidential, online mental health programs.

Learn more about what “Learn to Live” has to offer