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In
January, UnitedHealth Group (UnitedHealthcare) released
an official announcement requiring all participating, freestanding
imaging facilities and physician offices performing Nuclear
Medicine, Nuclear Cardiology, PET, Echocardiography, CT, CTA,
MRI, and MRA procedures to obtain accreditation by March 1,
2008 as a condition for reimbursement. A letter and official
press release were then sent by UnitedHealthcare to its member
facilities, encouraging them to begin the application process
for accreditation as soon as possible.
As
a leading healthcare insurer working with patients and healthcare
providers throughout the country, UnitedHealthcare firmly believes
in supporting and promoting uniform national standards for quality
and patient safety. In the letter to its member facilities,
UnitedHealthcare discusses the reasoning behind the initiative.
"Given the specialized physician experience and advanced
technology required in these procedures, it is important that
consumers receive services from facilities whose equipment,
technologists, and physicians are in compliance with established
accreditation performance standards for these procedures."
Accordingly, UnitedHealthcare recognizes the value of the ICANL
accreditation process, and has designated it as a means of achieving
this goal.
The
new initiative for providers of diagnostic imaging services
was created and implemented by UnitedHealth Group. The collaborative
efforts of both the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission and
the American College of Radiology helped assist UnitedHealth
Group in determining the specific guidelines for the new initiative.
"Diagnostic imaging, when performed in high-quality and
safe centers, is critical to optimal medical care outcomes,"
said Reed V. Tuckson, MD, UnitedHealth Group Executive Vice
President and Chief of Medical Affairs, in the recent press
release. "We recognize and respect the accreditation expertise
of the ACR and the IAC, and we are convinced that our customers
deserve to receive care from accredited facilities. As such,
we take this opportunity to strongly encourage all UnitedHealthcare
participating imaging physicians to immediately take the steps
necessary to become accredited. It's the right thing to do."
In
response to the announcement, the staff of the ICANL stands
ready to work with laboratories affected by the new UnitedHealthcare
initiative, fully committed to assist labs in earning their
accreditation by the March 1, 2008 deadline. ICANL staff members
include both clinical and administrative, highly-trained professionals
who are ready to respond to questions related to the accreditation
process.
"Through
a consistent and objective process of evaluation, constructive
criticism, feedback and re-evaluation, it is the IAC's intention
that the quality of the imaging facilities accredited [noninvasive
vascular, echocardiography, nuclear cardiology, nuclear medicine,
positron emission tomography (PET), magnetic resonance (MR)
and computed tomography (CT)] will be substantially enhanced
and become more uniform," remarked Sandra L. Katanick,
CEO of the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission. "We
look forward to working with the UnitedHealthcare providers
to help them earn accreditation and thus improve the quality
of care they are providing."
Participating
imaging facilities under UnitedHealthcare are encouraged to
begin the accreditation process as soon as possible. The length
of time needed to complete the application is dependent upon
a variety of factors, such as the laboratory's preparedness
in relation to the ICANL Standards and the amount of
time the lab can dedicate to completing the application. To
get started, first review the ICANL Standards
applicable to the testing areas performed in your laboratory.
The Standards are available as a free download on the
ICANL website, at www.icanl.org/icanl/apply/standards.htm.
Next, you will need to order the Accreditation Materials,
which include the Application CD and a bound copy of the ICANL
Standards. To place your order, simply go to www.icanl.org/icanl/apply/ordermaterials.htm,
follow the instructions and fill out the form.
Have Questions About ICANL Accreditation?
For
help and information regarding the ICANL accreditation process,
laboratories are encouraged to visit the website at www.icanl.org,
or contact the ICANL staff at 800-838-2110.
Have Questions About UnitedHealthcare?
Laboratories
seeking specific information about the UnitedHealthcare accreditation
initiative should contact UnitedHealthcare at 800-637-5792 or
email radiology@customerelation.com.
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