CommercialPrior AuthMedium impact
June 2018
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island·RI · Psychiatry, Family Medicine, Internal Medicine +1 more·Provider Update
Effective date
Aug 1, 2018
We identified it
Jun 20, 2026
Summary
BCBSRI will eliminate prior authorization requirements for in-network inpatient and intermediate behavioral health services starting August 1, 2018, replacing them with simple admission/discharge notifications through the new ProviderConnect portal. Providers must register for ProviderConnect starting June 1, 2018, though some services like ABA and TMS will continue using the current fax process.
Action Required
By June 1, 2018: Register for ProviderConnect portal access at Beacon Health Options website. By July 2018: Attend scheduled webinars (July 10 at 11am or July 24 at 2pm) to learn the new system. By August 1, 2018: Stop seeking prior authorization for in-network behavioral health inpatient/intermediate services - instead use ProviderConnect to notify BCBSRI of admissions/discharges. Continue using fax process for ABA, ambulatory detox, HealthPath, and TMS services.