Extension of Care

PCPs and specialists may choose to offer extension of care to patients when they are terminating their contracts and have patients in active treatment, such as pregnant patients past their first trimester.
Read a definition of extension of care.

Priority Health offers members Extension of Care when:

• The primary care physician or specialist chooses to terminate their contract with Priority Health and is willing to participate in Extension of Care
• Priority Health terminates the contract and approves the primary care physician or specialist to participate in Extension of Care

Priority Health will notify members about Extension of Care, if it is offered. Whenever possible, this will occur at least 30 calendar days prior to a provider termination. In addition, Extension of Care applies for both primary care physicians and specialists if the patient is in active treatment.

When does Extension of Care NOT apply?
In some cases, the Extension of Care policy would not apply. Here are cases in which it would not apply:

• A professional review action has occurred.
• The primary care physician or specialist fails to meet applicable quality or licensure standards according to Michigan State Law.
• Medicare has sanctioned the primary care physician or specialist.
• The primary care physician or specialist is staying in the service area and can still be selected as a participating primary care physician or specialist. The member can choose to stay with the provider and follow them to their new office location.
• The practitioner retires.
• The practitioner will not agree to the terms of the Extension of Care.