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In
a May 2002 letter to its physician providers of healthcare,
Oxford Health Plans announced that it will require ICANL accreditation
of nuclear cardiology laboratories by February 2, 2004. The
new mandate affects any laboratory that is currently a member
of Oxford Health Plans in the states of Connecticut, Delaware,
Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania,
or Rhode Island.
The
policy states that all Oxford nuclear cardiologists must also
pass the Certification Board of Nuclear Cardiology (CBNC) examination
by the February deadline. After this date, reimbursement claims
will be honored only for laboratories that have achieved accreditation
and where examinations are performed by CBNC-certified nuclear
cardiologists. Claims from non-accredited laboratories will
not be approved, regardless of CBNC status.
Sandra
Katanick, Executive Director of the ICANL, commented, "I
am pleased to see the positive response by Oxford Health Plans
and the nuclear cardiology community to the accreditation process.
The laboratory personnel that I have had the pleasure of speaking
with regarding the process are committed to providing quality
diagnostic testing and undergoing a stringent peer review of
their work. Even though the process can be time-consuming, completion
of the application and successful acquisition of ICANL accreditation
almost always results in better patient care."
In
the days immediately following the announcement by Oxford Health
Plans, the ICANL experienced a dramatic increase in orders for
the Essentials and Standards and the Application for
Accreditation. These documents are the foundation for the accreditation
process and can be ordered on the ICANL website. Additional
information regarding this policy, ICANL accreditation and links
to the websites of Oxford Health Plans and CBNC are posted on
the ICANL website. The ICANL staff is available to answer questions
at 410-872-0100. The ICANL website is www.icanl.org.
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