CommercialAdministrativeHigh impact
Payment Policies for Telemedicine/Telephone Services for Commercial and Medicare Advantage Products effective January 1
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI · Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Practice +2 more·Physician / Facility
Effective date
Jan 1, 2021
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
BCBSRI updated its telemedicine payment policies effective January 1, 2021, replacing temporary COVID-19 policies with permanent telemedicine coverage. Telemedicine services continue at 100% in-office rates, but billing requirements changed - providers must stop using CR modifier and use specific POS codes and modifiers for proper claims processing.
Action Required
Immediately for dates of service January 1, 2021 and after: Billing team must update claims processing to file telemedicine claims with POS 02 and 95 modifier for real-time audio/video services, POS 02 only for telephone services, and STOP using CR modifier on all telemedicine claims. Update billing software rules to prevent CR modifier usage and ensure correct POS/modifier combinations.