Chances are you have been impacted by the rising costs of health care and medical services in one way or another. The good news is that you can actually lower your medical bills. That’s right, when it comes to the cost of health care, your choices make a big difference!

Select a Primary Care Physician

You’ll save money when you select a Primary Care Physician (PCP). Medical care and services are considered in network (also referred to as “network” and “participating”) when received from or coordinated by your PCP. If you do not select a PCP, you will pay more for your health care.

Your PCP:

• Performs most of your annual well care and preventive health exams.
• Handles most of your medical care in his/her own office.
• Provides medical care or will refer you to the appropriate specialist, ancillary provider or inpatient facility.
• Handles your emergency care needs.
• Coordinates your in-network specialty care and obtains referrals and prior authorizations for medically necessary services.
• Is on-call or has an appointed, covering doctor available 24 hours a day, every day.
• Meets our credentialing standards.

Changing Your Primary Care Physician

At any time you can change your PCP selection. To do so, please follow these two steps:

1. Call 1-800-355-BLUE (2583), with the name of the new participating physician you've selected. For an extensive network of participating physicians, refer to your Horizon BCBSNJ Directory of Participating Physicians and Other Health Care Professionals* or visit the Online Provider Directory.
   
   You can see your new PCP within 14 days after notifying us. We will send you a letter confirming your new PCP selection.
2. Have your medical records transferred to your newly selected PCP. Either you or your former PCP can do this by sending the Transfer of Medical Records Form to your new PCP**. There may be a nominal cost for this transfer service from your former doctor.

* If necessary, you can call Member Services to request a current paper copy of this directory.

** The Transfer of Medical Records Form is located at the back of the Member Handbook.

Making Appointments

Contact your PCP whenever you have medical concerns or questions, or to make an appointment for your annual physical exam. Be sure to bring your Horizon POS ID card with you to each visit.

Office Waiting Time

Primary Care Physicians should limit office waiting room time to no longer than 30 minutes from the time of your scheduled appointment. If your wait exceeds 30 minutes, you should be given the option to reschedule or to continue waiting.