Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield implemented a echocardiography pre-notification and pre-authorization program. Click here for the information sheet about the plan. The ACC and ASE sent a joint letter to WellPoint, Anthem's parent company, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer,
Samuel Nussbaum, MD, requesting a suspension for the insurer's announced echo pre-notification and results reporting program
until a reasonable and viable alterative can be reached. The medical groups expressed concern about the major distruption
these programs will cause to medical practices. They also conveyed that the program is misdirected to penalize all echo
providers rather than the inadqueately trained and test duplicators. Click here for the full text of the letter. Please send your own letters in support of the ACC/ASE position. Address your letters to:
Samuel R. Nussbaum, M.D.Executive Vice President, Clinical Health Policyand
Chief Medical OfficerWellPoint, Inc.120 Monument CircleIndianapolis,
IN 46204
ACC staff also met with the Blue Cross Blue Shield
Association. The meeting focused on major concerns and iniaitives of national medical specialty societies such as the ACC.
The outcome of the meeting will be the convening of several workgroups that will focus on the following: 1) Prior Authorization
alternatives and standardization; 2) The role of the specialist in the Patient Centered Medical Home; and 3) Physician recognition
programs. The BCBSA also noted they will assist ACC and ASNC in communications surrounding the new nuclear codes to member
plans to avoid payment delays in 2010.
