Treatment methods have relied on diagnostic methods for decades. With technology advancing at a remarkable pace, treating deadly diseases is also becoming a possibility with the help of flawless imaging. Imaging tests are critical for every patient’s treatment.
However, it is the cost associated with these tests that often keep the patients from availing of them. United Healthcare has already started a program meant for grading imaging services based on efficiency metrics and quality parameters. They did so to allow patients the freedom to choose a cost-effective solution as per their requirements.
The Objective
UHC has sent an elaborate questionnaire to the imaging facilities like freestanding centers, hospitals, etc with which they have a contract. These bodies need to submit the questionnaire to become Designated Diagnostic Providers. The program is set to be effective from July 1. From then, the members will have to pay a lower cost than before for pursuing imaging services at these designated centers.
Last year, United Healthcare carried out a similar program for the lab services engaged in diagnostic tests. The organization further clarified that the motto of the arrangement was to offer patients affordable radiology services.
The Mission
UHC published on its website that the soaring cost of treatment and imaging tests was becoming an obstacle in the path of treatment. Their endeavors were primarily about making healthcare facilities like radiology and imaging more accessible and affordable. With these tiered arrangements, more patients will now be able to be a part of these facilities.
UHC judged all the providers on the same scale of parameters such as accreditation status, submission of electronic images, and on-time test and care result submissions. All efficiency metrics targeted the one objective, reduction of cost.
If any imaging services provider does not meet the first tier standards for becoming a designated one it will go to the next tier. Such facilities will be a part of the network, but the patients’ benefits will be different. Of these separate benefits, higher costs can be one.
United Healthcare made sure that small group commercial plan members get to access the facilities from Jan, 1. For the large group members, the date was July, 1.
The American College of Radiology published a statement on Friday notifying that they will remain associated with United Healthcare in future to deal with the issues arising from the programs.
ACR also appealed to and encouraged the participants of the survey to complete the questionnaires as early as possible. After all, the sooner the survey will be over, the easier it would be for ACR and UHC to understand the ground reality of the situation.
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