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

• Amniotic Membrane and Amniotic Fluid
• Bone Mineral Density Studies
• Claim Timely Filing – Inpatient Level of Care Appeals and Observation
• Clinical Trials Mandate Commercial
• Cooling Devices used in the Home and Outpatient Setting
• Coverage of Complications Following a Non-Covered Service
• Cryosurgical Ablation of Primary and Metastatic Liver Tumors
• Discarded Drugs Biologicals
• Multicancer Early Detection Testing
• Oral Appliances and Medical Management for Sleep Apnea
• Saturation Biopsy for Diagnosis, Staging and Management of Prostate Cancer
• Scintimammography and Gamma Imaging of the Breast and Axilla
• Surgical Left Atrial Appendage Occlusion Devices for Stroke
• Surgical Treatments for Lymphedema and Lipedema
• Treatment for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy
• Uterus Transplantation for Absolute Uterine Factor Infertility
• Vertebral Fracture Assessment

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 “Draft Medical Policies” drop-down.