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Radiology Management, the official journal of the Association of Healthcare Radiology Administrators, has published an article by West Physics’ CEO, Dr. Geoffrey West, on the topic of preparing for an ACR accreditation inspection. This article has valuable information to help facilities understand the inspection process and also to help them prepare properly for this important event. Click here to read the full article as seen in Radiology Management magazine.

Congress passes bill HR6331 making accreditation mandatory for Medicare reimbursement of MRI, CT, NM, PET starting January 1, 2012. Click here for more information about bill HR6331.

United Healthcare Extends Accreditation Deadline until “fourth quarter 2009”. Sites still advised to make haste with their accreditation applications. Click here for the latest information at the United Healthcare website.

New ACR CT Accreditation Program Patient Dose Limits go into effect on January 1, 2008.

ACR Develops Modular MRI Accreditation Program. Cardiac MRI module is the first to be released and is now available as of January 2008. Body, Head, MRA, Spine and Musculoskeletal modules to follow. Read the ACR official announcement.

The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) announces the availability of the IAC CT accreditation process for CT units beginning on November 1, 2007. West Physics selected as physics provider for one of the application pilot sites. Please contact us for additional information regarding this new United Healthcare-recognized accreditation program. Click here to go to the IAC CT web site.

ACR Revises Breast Ultrasound Accreditation Program Requirements effective October 1, 2007.

United Healthcare will be requiring accreditation on CT, CTA, MRI, MRA, Nuclear Medicine/Cardiology, PET and Echocardiograpy procedures starting March 1, 2008.

Highmark BCBS (Pennsylvania) is requiring all sites in the state to obtain ACR accreditation or be in-progress with an application by January 2007 to maintain privileges for MRI and PET/CT.

ACR to begin accepting accreditation applications for 3T MRI Units – From ACR web site.

ACR Discontinues R/F Accreditation Program – From ACR web site.

UnitedHealth Group announces plans to promote ACR accreditation and appropriateness criteria for its network – From Diagnostic Imaging Online press report dated January 17, 2005. Click here to link to the story.

Florida MRI Centers face Tough New Accreditation and Licensure Requirements beginning May 1, 2004 – From Diagnostic Imaging Online press report dated January 23, 2004. Click here to link to the story.

ACR Cancels Orthopedic MRI Accreditation Program Plans – From AuntMinnie.com press report dated May 11, 2004.

California Blue Shield will be requiring ACR MRI accreditation for reimbursement beginning June 14, 2004. – From provider letter dated February 2, 2004 provided by WPC client.

Excellus BlueCross BlueShield, serving New York, will be requiring ACR MRI accreditation for reimbursement beginning January 1, 2005. – From provider letter dated September 16, 2003.

Univera Healthcare, serving New York, will be requiring ACR MRI accreditation for reimbursement beginning January 1, 2005. – From provider letter dated September 16, 2003.

Oxford Health Plans, serving New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut, will be requiring ACR CT and PET accreditation for reimbursement beginning February 2, 2004. – From provider letter dated February 21, 2003.

Alabama Blue Cross and Blue Shield now requiring ACR MRI, CT, and PET accreditation for full reimbursement (Preferred Provider Status).

Since the ACR began requiring implementation of their MRI QA Program on August 1, 2002, sites which were accredited before that date will need to arrange for the REQUIRED annual physics surveys of their MRI units as soon as possible to ensure continued compliance. West Physics Consulting can provide this service for your facility. Please click here to see our service page and to find out a little more about what we offer.