U-M Premier Care is a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) administered by Blue Care Network (BCN) and offered only to the University of Michigan community. An HMO is a managed care plan that provides medical services through a network of doctors and hospitals.

With an HMO, you must choose a primary care provider (PCP) who coordinates your care, provides referrals to see specialists and obtains prior authorizations for medically necessary services. Coverage is generally limited to in-network providers, except for emergencies. HMOs are designed to provide integrated, cost-efficient care with an emphasis on preventive care. They also feature lower out-of-pocket costs than other types of insurance plans, such as Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) and Exclusive Provider Organizations (EPOs).

As with all U-M health plans, prescription drug coverage is included with enrollment.