This article explains what to expect when your medical document is submitted to Blue Cross, including typical review timelines and what happens if your approval is still in progress when you’re ready to order.
Typical Blue Cross Approval Timeline
1) Submission to Blue Cross (first-time and renewals)
Once Mendo receives your medical document from your clinic or practitioner, we submit it to Blue Cross within 24 hours.
2) Processing on Blue Cross’ Side (first-time and renewals)
After submission, Blue Cross may take additional time to attach the document to your file. Because of this internal processing step, it’s possible for Blue Cross to confirm they do not see the document yet, even though it has already been submitted by Mendo.
If you contact Blue Cross shortly after submission and they say it has not been received, this is often due to processing time on their end rather than a missing document.
3) Review and Decision (first-time and renewals)
Blue Cross typically takes 4–6 weeks to review a medical document and provide a decision.
4) Requests to increase grams per day (first-time and renewals)
If you are requesting an increase to your grams per day, approval timelines are typically 8–12 weeks.
First-Time Approvals: Steps That May Help Reduce Delays
These steps apply specifically to first-time approvals:
If you are switching providers: Calling Blue Cross to confirm you are switching providers can help reduce processing delays.
If you are newly released: Please call Blue Cross to ensure your status is updated to “Released.” This can prevent avoidable delays during review.
Blue Cross Contact Details
Blue Cross Phone Number: 1-888-261-4033
Blue Cross agents are available Monday to Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in each Canadian time zone (excluding Federal Government Statutory Holidays).
What to Expect After Submitting Your Medical Document
First-Time Blue Cross Approvals
You will receive a welcome email from Mendo once your account is approved and your medical document has been submitted.
If applicable, you may place a bridge order after receiving the welcome email.
Blue Cross Renewals
You will receive a confirmation email when your renewal documents have been submitted.
If approval takes longer than expected (first-time and renewals)
If coverage is not approved within 3 cycles, our team will contact you to review next steps.
If Your Cycle Ends Before Approval is Completed
If your Blue Cross approval is still in progress when your current cycle ends, you may continue to place orders as usual. This is referred to as a bridge order.
With a bridge order:
You place your order normally, and
We hold billing to Blue Cross until a decision is received.
Summary
Mendo submits medical documents to Blue Cross within 24 hours of receiving them (first-time and renewals).
Blue Cross may take additional time to add the document to your file, so it may not appear immediately if you call shortly after submission.
Standard review timelines are typically 4–6 weeks.
Grams-per-day increase requests typically take 8–12 weeks.
If approval is still pending, you may place a bridge order, and billing to Blue Cross will be held until a decision is received.