CommercialPrior AuthLow impact
Pharmacy clinical authorizations extensions due to COVID-19
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI·Physician / Facility
Effective date
Jun 1, 2020
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
BCBSRI has temporarily extended pharmacy clinical prior authorizations that were set to expire during COVID-19 pandemic periods. Commercial plan authorizations expiring between March 31-June 30, 2020 are extended 90 days, Medicare authorizations expiring between March 23-May 30, 2020 are extended 60 days, and early refill restrictions are lifted through June 30, 2020.
Action Required
No immediate action required as this is a historical COVID-19 policy from 2020 that has already expired. Review if any patients still have active authorizations from this period that may need current reprocessing under normal authorization requirements.