BCBS tests imaging with Michigan hospitals

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has struck a partnership with 21 Michigan hospitals under which the group will work to better leverage coronary computed tomography angiography (CCTA). The idea is to see whether CCTA could someday replace the use of standard cardiac catheterization. In the past, the BCBS plan hadn't covered CCTA, but starting this month, hospitals participating in the program will be reimbursed for the test if they're part of the plan's PPO, Point of Service or Blue Care Network plans. To participate in the program, hospitals in the study are required to use a 64-slice CT scanner [1] and meet quality and staff training standards.

The initiative is being funded by the Blue plan, and managed by the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Consortium, whose leadership includes physicians from the University of Michigan and Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

To find out more about the program:
- read this BCBS of Michigan release [2]