Accreditation Update

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In diagnostic imaging, accreditation programs have emerged with both Medicare and private insurers as key initiatives to advance the quality and safety of imaging studies.

The Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA) became law on July 15, 2008 and requires providers of advanced diagnostic imaging services, inclusive of Nuclear Medicine, MR, CT and PET, to obtain accreditation by 2012, as a condition for Medicare reimbursement.

UnitedHealthcare requires outpatient imaging sites and providers that bill on a CMS/HICF 1500 or its electronic equivalent to complete and submit an application to obtain accreditation. These requirements apply to CT, MRI, PET, nuclear medicine, nuclear cardiology and echocardiography procedures and this policy will become a condition for reimbursement from UnitedHealthcare in the fourth quarter of 2009.

Visit the UnitedHealthcare web page devoted to imaging accreditation and see if your center is listed as an Accredited Imaging Provider.

Visit the Accreditation Tool Kit on MI LifeNet. (requires login)

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