Read Provider Update
This monthly newsletter delivers updates on policies, changes to benefits, and other news you need to know.
- P = Professional
 - B = Behavioral health
 - F = Facilities
 
BCBSRI Update
    P    B    F  
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  As a reminder, when filing with Medicare first when a member has Coordination of Benefits, please en...
    P    B    F  
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  Arkansas Blue will begin using Skai Blue for national account members starting in 2025, which means ...
    P    B    F  
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  As a reminder, please ensure you are reviewing the 2026 benefit booklets once they are available&nbs...
Provider Relations
    P    B    F  
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  BCBSRI invites providers to join us on Wednesday, November 12, from 10-11 a.m. for a conference call...
    P          
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  BCBSRI specialists and Provider Relations are seeing an increase in PCP referrals being entered into...
    P    B    F  
  Oct 1, 2025
  
  BCBSRI invites providers to join us on Wednesday, October 15, from 10-11 a.m. for a conference call ...
Physician & Provider Call Center
    P    B    F  
  May 1, 2025
  
  Beginning June 1, 2025, our Provider Call Center will implement a  transaction limit of five cl...
    P    B    F  
  Jul 1, 2023
  
  As a reminder, there is a functionality on the BCBSRI Provider Portal that allows providers to send ...
    P    B    F  
  Jun 1, 2021
  
   
Did you know our secured Physician and Provider Portal offers the following:
•Check me...
Quality
    P          
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) testing and controlHbA1c is a blood test that reflects a patient’s average bl...
    P          
  Sep 1, 2025
  
  As the year winds down and stress ramps up, it’s more important than ever to ensure accurate blood p...
    P          
  Sep 1, 2025
  
  Fall Prevention and the Health Outcomes Survey (HOS)Why it mattersThe Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) e...
Behavioral Health
        B      
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  Major depression is one of the most common mental health disorders, affecting more than 21 million A...
        B      
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  BCBSRI has collaborated with providers throughout Rhode Island to ensure that our members have acces...
    P    B      
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  The BCBSRI Behavioral Health Case Management program is staffed by experienced mental health and sub...
Pharmacy
    P    B    F  
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  The following drugs will require Prior Authorization beginning on October 1, 2025 for Commercial and...
    P    B    F  
  Oct 1, 2025
  
  The following drugs will require Prior Authorization beginning on October 1, 2025 for Commercial and...
    P    B    F  
  Oct 1, 2025
  
  Large Group and Small Group Markets Formulary This information is effective as of October 1, 20...
Products & Benefits
    P        F  
  Aug 1, 2025
  
  Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA), coverage is provided for many pre...
    P    B    F  
  Dec 1, 2019
  
  In the large group portfolio, we will also be adding eight Network Blue New England Options plans, a...
    P    B    F  
  Dec 1, 2019
  
  Our regional BlueCHiP family is expanding in the small group market with Effective January 1, 2020, ...
Claims
    P    B    F  
  Apr 1, 2024
  
  BCBSRI is not a PPO network sharing plan. We are not allowed to price based on our participating pro...
    P    B    F  
  Jan 1, 2024
  
  BCBSRI claims department has seen an increase in claims rejecting for no eligibility because claims ...
    P    B    F  
  Nov 1, 2023
  
  If you are correcting a claim due to an audit finding, you must submit Medical Records with your cor...
Policies
    P        F  
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  COVID-19 Monoclonal Antibody Treatment and Antiviral IV MedicationsThis policy was updated to correc...
    P        F  
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  *NEW POLICY* Prior Authorization of Physical and Occupation Therapy ServicesEffective January 1, 202...
    P        F  
  Nov 1, 2025
  
  The following policies were recently reviewed for annual update. The full texts of these policies ar...