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Frequently asked questions

1.   How do I use my ID card?
Each month that you are eligible for Medicaid, you will receive a Medicaid card from the State of Michigan which shows that you are eligible for Medicaid coverage. When you get your Medicaid card, check to see if everything is right.

At the time of enrollment with Priority Health you will receive a Priority Health ID card that lists the name and phone number of your primary care physician (PCP). This is the doctor you need to call when you have questions about your health or need a medical appointment. When you get your ID card, check to see if everything is right. If you lose your ID card or have a problem with it or want to change the doctor who is listed on the card, call our Customer Service Department at 1 888 975-8102. Each member of your family who has Medicaid will get a separate Priority Health ID card. You will not receive a new Priority Health card every month.

Take your Priority Health ID card with you each time you visit your doctor or go to a medical appointment or get medical services.

Here are some examples of when you need to show your Priority Health ID card:
  • at any doctor's appointment
  • at the pharmacy
  • at the hospital
  • for transportation
  • at the emergency room or urgent care center

2.   I'm in the Plan, now what do I do?
Here is what you need to do to get the most from the Plan:
  • Check the name on your ID card to see if the physician you chose is listed.
  • If you did not choose a doctor, one was chosen for you. You may make a change by calling our Customer Service Department at 616 464-8102 or toll-free at 888 975-8102. (If you change your child's doctor to a pediatrician, that change will become effective immediately.)
  • Make an appointment to meet your primary care physician (PCP) and, if necessary, transfer your records from your old doctor.
  • Make an appointment once each year with your doctor even if you are not sick. This "well visit" will help you and your doctor stay ahead of any health problems. Children under the age of 2 will require more frequent "well visits" to stay up to date on shots.
  • Call your doctor first when you have a medical problem or concern. If you do not call your doctor first, you may have to pay for the services yourself.

3.   How do I choose a doctor?
The Find a Doctor directory lists all of the doctors you can choose from. We will help you find a doctor you like by asking you questions such as who you have seen before, where you live, and which hospital you want to use.

It is important that you establish and maintain a good relationship with your PCP and other health professionals. If you cannot maintain a good relationship with your doctors, we can ask you to choose another PCP, select another PCP for you, and arrange for your PCP to refer you to another participating provider, or ask the State to disenroll you from Priority Health.

For help in picking a doctor call Priority Health Customer Service at 888 975-8102 or e-mail our Customer Service department.


4.   How do I change doctors?
You can change your doctor by calling our Customer Service Department at 888 975-8102. You can also e-mail our Customer Service department.  The Primary Care Physician change will take effect within 30 days of your request. If you are changing a child's PCP to a pediatrician, the change will take effect the day that we receive the request. Do not go to the new doctor until the change has been made. You will receive a new Priority Health ID card with the name of your new doctor.


5.    How do I change health plans?
If you find that Priority Health is not the right plan for you, you must follow these steps to change to a different health plan:

If you have enrolled with Priority Health within the past 90 days:
  • Call Michigan Enrolls toll-free at 888 367-6557. They can help you choose a new plan.
  • You must keep seeing your Priority Health doctor and follow Priority Health's rules until you are enrolled in another plan.

If you have been enrolled with Priority Health for more than 90 days:
  • The State allows you to change health plans once a year. Watch for the information from the State in the mail.
  • You must continue to see your Priority Health doctor and follow Priority Health's rules until you are enrolled in another health plan.

If you have Medicare or an HMO as your primary insurance:
  • You are no longer eligible to be enrolled in a Medicaid-managed care plan.
  • Notify your FIA Caseworker and they will change your health care coverage back to traditional Medicaid.
  • You must continue to see your Priority Health doctor and follow Priority Health's rules until you are disenrolled.


6.   How can I be sure about quality?

We work hard to make sure you get the best service possible. Here are some examples of what we have done:
  • The training and experience of each doctor listed in the provider directory is checked. Each doctor is evaluated on how available they are to you.
  • The Customer Service staff is trained to make sure that your needs are met.
  • The State of Michigan reviews the services we give. They tell us when to change or improve services.
  • You can file a complaint anytime by calling the Priority Health Customer Service Department at 888 975-8102. If you want, we will help you to report any problem you have with your doctor or our services.
  • We give you lots of material about staying healthy. Just call us! We can give you information in pamphlets, by telephone, and in person. (If you want, someone can come to your home.)
  • Priority Health is NCQA Accredited. This means that the National Committee for Quality Assurance, an organization that reviews health plans like Priority Health, has carefully reviewed Priority Health and is pleased with how we do business.


7.   What if I need to see a specialist or have medical tests?
Talk to your Primary Care Physician first. Your doctor will work hard to keep you healthy. If you need care or special tests that your doctor cannot give, your doctor will arrange for you to see a specialist who is a Priority Health doctor. Don't see a specialist without the okay of your doctor or you may have to pay the bill. Priority Health must also approve a referral to a provider such as a physical therapist who is outside our network.
If you are a new Priority Health member and are seeing a specialist, call the doctor listed on your ID card for approval to keep seeing the specialist.

You do not have to get your doctor's okay for these services:
  • OB/GYN (having babies or a routine female examination)
  • Family planning
  • Vision (for the name of an eye doctor, call Priority Health )
  • Behavioral Health (mental health, depression, and substance abuse; call Priority Health)

8.   What if I need a ride to my appointments?

Priority Health will help you get a ride to your medical appointments. You can get help in getting a ride if:
  • You do not have a way to get to and from a doctor visit; or
  • You do not have a way to get medical items or services covered by us.

The rides you need must be approved in advance. For routine appointments such as a doctor's appointment that is not an emergency, you must ask for a ride at least 5 days before your appointment date. If you need urgent medical care and must see a doctor sooner than that, we will also help you with this. First make your appointment and then call us.

To use our transportation, you must have no other way to get to your medical appointment. Call toll-free 888 975-8102 or 616 464-8102 for more information or help to arrange a ride.

You will be asked the following questions:
  • Do you have a car?
  • Can it be used?
  • Can a relative, friend or neighbor take you?
  • How have you been getting to your doctor appointments?
  • Can you get there the same way this time?
You will also be asked if you have any special needs that affect the kind of ride you need. If there is bus service available, you may be asked to use it unless there is a medical reason why you cannot do so.


9.  When should I go to the emergency room?
For most problems, call your doctor, even at night or on weekends. Only go to the Emergency Room when it is an emergency. The Emergency Room is set up for problems that can seriously harm your health or problems that are a matter of life or death. Your doctor is the one who needs to see you when you need care that is not an emergency.

Urgent care
When you have a problem that is serious (but is not as bad as an emergency) such as cuts, bumps or sprains, call your doctor, even at night or on weekends or holidays. Your doctor will give you instructions on what to do, or where to go for treatment. Your doctor must approve a visit to an Urgent Care Center. If you go without your doctor's approval, the Urgent Care Center may refuse to see you or require that you pay for the visit.

Emergency care

An emergency is any condition that may cause death or injury if not treated right away. For an emergency, go right away to the emergency room or call 911 immediately.

Examples of emergencies (call 911 or seek care immediately):

Chest pain or heart attack
Convulsions
Drug overdose
Severe burns
Stroke
Severe bleeding
Unconsciousness

Examples that are not emergencies (call your doctor):

Sore throat
Headache
Colds or flu
Earache
Low back pain
Stomachache
Minor cuts or bruises
Vaginal discharge
Sprains or strains

When the problem is not an emergency, call your doctor's office anytime day or night.

When you need an ambulance
In an emergency, dial 911 to reach an ambulance. An ambulance will be sent to take you to the hospital if you have a very serious illness or injury.


10.  What if I am out of town when I get sick?

When you are more than two hours from your doctor's office and you get sick:
  • Go to the nearest medical facility for medical care (if you need emergency or urgent care).
  • Show your Priority Health ID card.
  • Call your doctor for follow-up care. Tell your doctor about the medical care you needed. Do not get routine medical care when you are out of town without getting the okay from your doctor and Priority Health first.

11.  What do I do if I move?

If you move, call your local Family Independence Agency office so they can change the State's records.  Also call our Customer Service Department at 1 888 975-8102.  We want to know your new address.  We will be happy to help you find a new doctor nearer to your house if necessary.


12.  What if there are changes in my family?
If the following changes apply to any member of your family enrolled with Priority Health please notify your FIA Caseworker and the Priority Health Customer Service Department at 888 975-8102.
  • New home address or telephone number
  • Birth or adoption of a child
  • Marriage or divorce
  • Death
  • Name change
  • Medicare eligibility
  • Eligibility for other health coverage or insurance
  • If an enrolled family member moves from home for any reason

13.   What if my Medicaid coverage ends?
Priority Health will no longer pay your bills.

14.   What if I get a bill?
You should not get a bill for services that your doctor and Priority Health have approved. If you get a bill, call or write us. We will ask you for your Medicaid number.

            Call:
            888 975-8102

            OR

            Write:
            Priority Health Government Programs, Inc.
            Customer Service Department
            MS 2105
            PO Box 269
            Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0269
 

Last modified 12/14/07