CommercialBilling CodesHigh impact
Updated: Temporary Telemedicine/Telehealth and Telephone Services During the COVID-19 Crisis Policy
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI·Provider Update
Effective date
Oct 1, 2020
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
BCBSRI now requires modifier 95 in the first modifier position for all telemedicine services using audio/video starting October 1, 2020. Telephone-only telemedicine should continue using place of service 02 with CR modifier only (no modifier 95).
Action Required
By October 1, 2020: Billing team must update all BCBSRI telemedicine claims to include modifier 95 in first position for audio/video services, with CR modifier in second position. Update billing software to automatically append modifier 95 for audio/video telemedicine visits. Continue using place of service 02. For telephone-only visits, use only CR modifier (no modifier 95). Claims without proper modifiers may be processed incorrectly.