Enter Your Email Address to Receive a
Copy of MedicExhange Member Demograhpics

American Imaging Management, Inc. (AIM), with health plan clients representing more than 35 million consumers, and an operating subsidiary of WellPoint, Inc., announced that it has launched an echocardiography management program with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont (BCBSVT).

AIM has provided diagnostic imaging clinical review services for the Vermont health plan since 2008.

"As a company committed to appropriate, high-quality clinical care for our members, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Vermont looks forward to working with our physician community and AIM to implement an echocardiography program that leverages evidence-based medicine." said Allen J. Hinkle, M.D., medical director for BCBSVT.

Driven by the reported variation in the use of these services by physicians and increasing utilization, organizations such as the American College of Cardiology have developed appropriateness criteria.    Along with a growing body of literature, these criteria support more consistent use of these services based on evidence-based standards.

"AIM's experience reviewing cardiac service use in 33 states shows clear and unexplainable variability in how these services are used by physicians," said Thomas Power, M.D., AIM's medical director for cardiology. "Delivering efficient and effective clinical review, based on current appropriateness criteria and literature, will reduce variability and bring practice standards closer in line with evidence-based medicine."

The emphasis on promoting evidence-based medicine offers significant benefits to physicians and patients. AIM's echocardiography program supports physicians' efforts to deliver appropriate care and offers their patients the peace of mind that they are receiving the right test at the right time," said Dr. Power.

AIM is a leader in providing innovative solutions for managing advanced imaging services. AIM pioneered the integration of technology and clinical content for advanced imaging management through the introduction of Web-based services in 2002. AIM also introduced the first set of Web-enabled tools to promote quality and cost transparency into the selection of some of the highest value diagnostic imaging facilities. Most recently, the company launched new solutions directed at increasing the appropriateness of outpatient cardiac services and specialty pharmaceuticals.

Source: ACS

See more about Cardiology