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

• Allergy and Immunotherapy Injections
• Anesthesia Services
• Autism Spectrum Disorders Mandate
• Autonomic Nervous System Testing Using Portable Automated Devices
• Behavioral Health Services Inpatient and Intermediate Levels of Care 
• Buprenorphine Implant for Treatment of Opioid Dependence
• Care Plan Oversight
• Drug Testing
• Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorder Mandate
• Ovarian and Iliac Vein Embolization as Treatment of Pelvic Congestion Syndrome
• Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) Rehabilitation
• Phototherapeutic Keratectomy (PTK)
• Recombinant and Autologous Platelet-Derived Growth Factors for Wound Healing and Other Non-Orthopedic Conditions
• Specimen Provenance Error Testing
• Speech Therapy
• Thermography
• Transesophageal Endoscopic Therapies for Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• Transitional Care, Chronic Care and Complex Chronic Care Management
• Visual Screening for Children Ages 0-5 Years

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.”