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Use In-Network Labs for Patient Services
Act
immediately
Effective date
Not stated in the notice
Identified
Oct 3, 2026
Summary
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey is mandating that all laboratory services be directed to in-network preferred labs (LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics, BioReference Laboratories) across their commercial, Medicaid, and Medicare Advantage plans. Specific labs including Natera, Sema4/GeneDx, Invitae, Myriad Genetics, Sherman Abrams Laboratory, and Clarity Labs are now out-of-network and should not be used. Billing teams must update lab referral protocols and specimen routing to avoid claim denials.
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What to do
immediately · 5 steps
01Billing team and providers must update all laboratory referral protocols and specimen routing procedures to direct all lab work to in-network providers (LabCorp, Quest Diagnostics, BioReference Laboratories) for Horizon BCBSNJ commercial, Horizon NJ Health (Medicaid), and Braven Health (Medicare Advantage) members.
02Remove from approved lab lists and block billing for: Natera Inc., Sema4/GeneDx, Invitae, Myriad Genetics, Sherman Abrams Laboratory, and Clarity Labs.
03Update encounter forms and EMR templates to reflect in-network lab requirements.
04Train front desk and clinical staff on the new in-network labs.
05Contact your Horizon Network Specialist immediately if questions arise about lab network status.
If missed: Failure to route specimens to in-network labs will result in out-of-network claim denials and member balance billing liability.
Original notice
Use In-Network Labs for Patient Services
horizonblue.com · Always check the source before changing claims.