Text Size: decrease text size   increase text size


 

New! E-mail and security question requirements –Coming Soon.

I Need Help Now

For medical emergencies, please call 911.


Locate an urgent care center

 

Member Services

1-800-229-5851
8:00am - 10:00pm
7 days/week
E-Mail Member Services

 

Albany Medical Center
1-800-361-4334
IBM
1-800-765-3773
Price Chopper
1-800-586-5386

 

24/7 Nurse Line

 

Need help with this
Web site?

 


third party link choosehealthy.com
FAQ
Listed below are some common questions asked by MVP members. Click a question to get the answers you need.

Please note: The following questions and answers pertain to members with MVP's HMO coverage. If you have MVP CHOICES or MVP Indemnity, please ask your employer for coverage guidelines or contact MVP.

I.D. cards...copayments...how does MVP work?
Simply make an appointment with your Primary Care Physician. When you arrive for your appointment, present your MVP I.D. card. You simply need to pay a small fixed copayment (usually at the time of your visit). There are no claim forms to submit or deductibles to pay. All of MVP's participating physicians, hospitals and other health care providers "bill" MVP directly so you should never see a bill (beyond your copayment). You get the health care you need...we take care of the rest.

 

Back to top

 

What is a Primary Care Physician?
At MVP, that's just another name for your doctor – the physician you'll see for all check-ups, for care when you are sick or for referrals when you need to see a specialist. Your Primary Care Physician is your health partner, with whom you make all health care decisions. You must choose this doctor from MVP's large network of more than 9,000 providers. Click Doctor Search to find one now.

 

Back to top

 

Can I change my Primary Care Physician?
Yes! With MVP, you have the flexibility to change your Primary Care Physician at any time – either online or by calling 1-800-229-5851 .

 

Back to top

 

Do I have to contact my Primary Care Physician before I see a specialist?
Yes, you must first see your Primary Care Physician to determine if you need a specialist. If so, your Primary Care Physician can give you a Referral Voucher Form or fax your referral directly to the participating specialist. You must choose this specialist from MVP's large doctor network (although exceptions may be made for highly specialized forms of care, but prior written approval from the MVP Medical Director is required). As with all other physician services, all covered treatment costs are paid for by MVP Health Plan, except for your office visit co-payment. Click Doctor Search to find a specialist now. For women, up to two well-care visits per year to a participating obstetrician/gynecologist and all pre-natal visits are covered with no specialist voucher required.

 

Back to top

 

When I join MVP, must I get a Referral Voucher Form for a specialist I am already seeing?
Yes. Once you join MVP, further treatment with the specialist (who must be part of MVP's network) requires a referral from your Primary Care Physician prior to your specialist visit.

 

Back to top

 

Can women who enroll in MVP choose both a Primary Care Physician and an Obstetrician/Gynecologist?
While only one Primary Care Physician per member is required, women can self-refer to a participating Obstetrician/Gynecologist twice a year for well-care and for pre-natal visits (with no copay after your initial pre-natal visit). Some of the MVP participating OB/GYNs are listed as Primary Care Physicians, in which case, they may be selected as the Primary Care Physician for a woman, if she prefers. Click Doctor Search to find an OB/GYN now.

 

Back to top

 

With MVP can I go to any doctor or hospital I want, or must I use MVP participating doctors and hospitals?
MVP has made arrangements with a large number of physicians, hospitals, laboratories and other health care organizations to provide services to our members. In order for your doctor visits to be covered by MVP, you must use providers who are part of our network. You may search for participating doctors, hospitals and labs, and pharmacies online. When medically necessary, the MVP Medical Director may make arrangements for members to receive care with non-participating physicians and/or hospitals. In such cases, prior written approval must be obtained. MVP will cover emergency care for members at non-participating hospitals or health care facilities,

 

Back to top

 

Are my prescriptions covered by MVP?
If your employer has MVP's prescription drug rider, you are covered for all prescriptions on MVP's covered drug list – for the cost of a small copayment. Ask your employer if you have this coverage, and go to Rx Info to learn more.

 

Back to top

 

Am I covered by MVP when I am away from home?
Yes. MVP members have 24-hour worldwide emergency coverage. If an emergency situation develops while you are outside the service area, you should seek care from the nearest physician or hospital emergency room. Notify MVP within 48 hours, or as soon as physically possible. (MVP reserves the right to retrospectively determine if the visit is of an emergency nature.) All routine, preventive, elective or non-emergency care must be provided by or arranged through your Primary Care Physician and obtained within the MVP service area.

 

 

If your MVP benefit plan includes a "Student Rider," your covered student dependent children who are attending schools outside the service area of MVP are entitled to this same medically-necessary emergency care. Preventative and follow-up care, however, must be provided or arranged through the Primary Care Physician and obtained within the MVP service area. The out-of-area coverage includes doctor visits, physical therapy, allergy shots and lab work.

 

Back to top

 

Has MVP earned NCQA accreditation?
Yes! MVP recently earned a Commendable Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent organization which rates the quality of health plans nationwide. This is a testament to the quality of our benefits and services and to the satisfaction of our members.

 

Back to top

 

How do I find out more about MVP?
Contact our Member Services department via e-mail or toll-free at 1-800-229-5851 .

 

Back to top