CommercialCoverageHigh impact
Telemedicine/telephone services policy changes effective January 1
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI · Family Medicine, Internal Medicine, General Practice +2 more·Provider Update
Effective date
Jan 1, 2021
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
BCBSRI's temporary COVID-19 telemedicine policy expires December 31, 2020. Starting January 1, 2021, member cost sharing returns for most telemedicine services, though reimbursement remains at 100% of in-office rates. CPT codes 99211 and 99212 will continue with no member cost share for primary care and behavioral health providers only.
Action Required
By January 1, 2021: Billing team must update telemedicine claim filing procedures - file all real-time audio/video services with POS 02 and modifier 95, file telephone-only services with POS 02 (no modifier needed). Stop using CR modifier on ALL telemedicine claims effective January 1. Update patient financial counseling scripts to inform members that cost sharing will apply to most telemedicine services starting January 1, except codes 99211 and 99212 for primary care and behavioral health which remain no cost share.