The following policies were recently reviewed for annual update. The full texts of these policies are available in the Provider section of bcbsri.com:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders Mandate
• Balloon Dilation of the Eustachian Tube
• Hospital Based Clinics
• Injectable Bulking Agents for the Treatment of Urinary and Fecal Incontinence
• Mastectomy Treatment, Breast Reconstruction and Hospital Stays Mandate
• Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders Mandate
• Microwave Tumor Ablation
• Monitored Anesthesia Care for Gastrointestinal Endoscopic Procedures
• Noninvasive Techniques for the Evaluation and Monitoring of Patients with Chronic Liver Disease
• Physical and Occupational Therapy Payment Cap
• Sphenopalatine Ganglion Block for Headache
• Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation

We also post monthly drafts of medical policies being created or reassessed for your review. As a reminder, you can provide comments on draft policies for up to 30 days. Draft policies are located on the Provider homepage, under the Medical Policies section, under the drop-down “Draft Medical Policies.”