CommercialCoverageMedium impact
Update to the BCBSRI Supervisory Protocol
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI · Psychiatry·Behavioral Health
Effective date
Feb 1, 2023
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
BCBSRI has expanded their Supervisory Protocol to allow Mental Health Counselor Associates and Marriage and Family Therapy Associates to render outpatient therapy services under appropriate licensed supervision. This creates new billing opportunities for behavioral health services provided by these associate-level providers.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing team should contact Behavioralhealth@bcbsri.org to submit Supervisory Protocol documentation if practice employs Mental Health Counselor Associates or Marriage and Family Therapy Associates. Update provider credentialing records to reflect supervision relationships. Verify billing system can process claims for supervised associate providers under BCBSRI plans.