Medicare AdvantageCoverageMedium impact
2023 benefit changes
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI · Podiatry, Psychiatry, Family Medicine +3 more·Provider Update
Effective date
Jan 1, 2023
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
BCBSRI is implementing multiple benefit changes effective January 1, 2023, including discontinuing Medicare Advance plans, expanding routine foot care coverage beyond diabetes, standardizing hearing aid benefits by removing age distinctions, eliminating copays for methadone maintenance, and covering stander devices with prior authorization.
Action Required
By January 1, 2023: Billing team must update system to reflect expanded foot care coverage for systemic conditions beyond diabetes (metabolic, neurologic, peripheral vascular disease). Update prior authorization workflows for stander devices (DME). Verify VantageBlue and NEHP plans have $0 copay for qualifying foot exams. Update hearing aid benefit limits to $1,500 per occurrence (NEHP plans $2,000). Set methadone maintenance to $0 copay for renewed plans.