Medicare AdvantageCoverageMedium impact
January 1, 2024 updates
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI · Psychiatry, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy +1 more·Provider Update
Effective date
Jan 1, 2024
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
Effective January 1, 2024, BCBSRI expanded mental health provider types for Medicare members and eliminated referral requirements for physical and occupational therapy services across multiple plan types. EyeMed hardware claim filing procedures were also updated based on provider participation status.
Action Required
Immediately: Update billing workflows to allow mental health counselors and marriage/family therapists to bill Medicare members directly. Remove prior referral requirements for physical and occupational therapy services for Medicare Advantage, BlueCHiP Direct, BlueCHiP Direct Advance, BlueCHiP w/Flex, Network Blue New England, Network Blue New England Options, and Blue Choice New England plans. For EyeMed services: participating providers must file hardware claims directly to EyeMed; non-participating providers must instruct members to file their own claims.