The following policies were recently reviewed for annual update. The full texts of these policies are available in the Provider section of bcbsri.com:

• Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy
• Contraceptive Drugs and Devices Mandate
• Esophageal pH Monitoring
• Genetic Testing Services
• Injectable Bulking Agents for Urinary and Fecal Incontinence
• Intravenous Anesthetics for the Treatment of Chronic Pain and Psychiatric Disorders
• Magnetic Esophageal Sphincter Augmentation to Treat Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• Neural Therapy
• Payments for Outpatient Service Performed when a member is Admitted as an Inpatient to a Different Hospital
• Peroral Endoscopic Myotomy for Treatment of Esophageal Achalasia
• Pharmacy Prescription Early Refill
• Prior Authorization of Cardiology and Radiology Services
• Professional Reporting Requirements for Services not Personally Performed (a.k.a. “Incident to Services")
• Prolotherapy
• Proprietary Laboratory Analyses
• Pulsed Radiofrequency for the Treatment of Chronic Pain
• Venipuncture for State Mandated Lead Screening

We also post monthly drafts of medical policies being created or reassessed for your review. As a reminder, you can provide comments on draft policies for up to 30 days. Draft policies are located on the Provider homepage, under the Medical Policies section, under the drop-down “Draft Medical Policies."