UnitedHealthcare Extends Required Imaging Accreditation Deadline to Fourth Quarter 2009
UnitedHealthcare will now require all out-patient medical imaging providers to have completed and submitted an application to obtain accreditation from ACR or another accrediting body deemed appropriate by UnitedHealthcare, by the fourth quarter of 2009 in order to receive reimbursement for CT, MRI, PET, nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology and echocardiography services.
UnitedHealthcare originally intended to require accreditation as a condition for reimbursement beginning in the third quarter of 2008. However, the insurer adjusted its timeline based on feedback it received from physicians and other imaging stakeholders, which it says indicate that some communities may not have a sufficient number of accredited facilities to meet patient and physician needs. Another factor is the recent implementation of the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act (MIPPA) requiring providers of advanced imaging services to be accredited by January 1, 2012. Effective this date, accreditation will become a mandatory requirement in order to receive payment for the technical component of imaging services. In the meantime, UnitedHealthcare has indicated that it will continue to promote and encourage the use of accredited imaging facilities to referring physicians and to its members.
The ACR stands ready to help providers meet the UnitedHealthcare accreditation standard. The accreditation section of the ACR Web site features extensive information to help facilities start the accreditation process and answer pertinent questions. Certified technologists are available to guide providers through the accreditation process as well.
With a long history of providing accreditation for diagnostic imaging and radiation oncology services dating back to 1963 and nearly 22,000 accredited facilities across the United States, the ACR has the infrastructure and experience in processing high volumes of applications to help qualified facilities readily gain accredited status. The ACR encourages facilities to apply early, not delay, and avoid any potential issues that might interfere with obtaining timely accreditation.
ACR accreditation is an efficient process of both self-assessment and independent external audit, based on the ACR guidelines and technical standards, which assesses the qualifications of personnel, policies and procedures, equipment specifications, QA activities, patient safety, and ultimately the quality of patient care.
The purpose of these programs is to set quality standards for practices and help them continuously improve the quality of care they provide to their patients. The College will continue to keep members informed of any developments as the UnitedHealthcare accreditation process moves forward.
Click here to read specific accreditation guidelines and standards available on the ACR Web site or call the ACR Accreditation Hotline at (800) 770-0145 for more information regarding the UnitedHealthcare accreditation requirement and how the ACR can help providers meet the new standard in a timely, efficient manner.