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

• Actigraphy
• Bronchial Thermoplasty
• Cardiac Hemodynamic Monitoring
• Electromagnetic Navigational Bronchoscopy
• Extracorporeal Shock Wave Treatment for Plantar Fasciitis and Other Musculoskeletal Conditions
• Home Prothrombin Time Monitoring
• Interferential Current Stimulation
• Low-Level Laser Therapy
• Measurement of Exhaled Nitric Oxide and Exhaled Breath Condensate in the Diagnosis and Management of Respiratory Disorders
• Meniscal Allografts and Other Meniscal Implants
• Minimally Invasive Procedures for Back Pain Related to Disc Disease
• Navigated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
• Oral Appliances and Medical Management for Sleep Apnea
• Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for Central Sleep Apnea Phrenic Nerve Stimulation for Central Sleep Apnea
• Progenitor Cell Therapy for the treatment of Damaged Myocardium due to Ischemia
• Transcatheter Mitral Valve Repair (MVR)
• Transtympanic Micropressure Applications as a Treatment of Meniere’s Disease
• Ultrasonographic Measurement of Carotid Intima-Medial Thickness
• Varicose Vein Treatment

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.”