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Behavioral health/Rhode to Health podcasts
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI · Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine +1 more·Provider Update
Effective date
Jan 1, 2019
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
BCBSRI has implemented several behavioral health policy improvements including removing pre-approval requirements for in-network mental health and substance use disorder services, establishing copays for behavioral health visits consistent with primary care copays (effective January 1, 2019), and partnering with Child and Family Psychiatry for urgent pediatric psychiatric evaluations.
Action Required
Immediately: Billing team should verify that behavioral health and substance use disorder office visits (including medication-assisted treatment) are being billed with primary care copay amounts for BCBSRI members. Remove any prior authorization requirements for in-network mental health or substance use disorder services in billing system. Update staff training to reflect that pre-approval is no longer required for these services.