CommercialAdministrativeMedium impact
State of Rhode Island referrals during COVID-19
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI·Physician
Effective date
Mar 17, 2020
We identified it
Jun 19, 2026
Summary
State of Rhode Island Anchor plans temporarily suspended referral requirements for specialist visits during COVID-19, effective March 17, 2020. Lower specialist copayments are automatically applied, and PCPs no longer need to enter referrals into Health Trio for SORI members until further notice.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing team and front desk staff must stop requiring referrals for State of Rhode Island Anchor plan members when scheduling specialist visits. Update scheduling workflows to bypass Health Trio referral entry for SORI members only. Apply lower specialist copayments automatically for dates of service March 17, 2020 and forward. Monitor for future notifications when referral requirements are reinstated.