Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Plans to Follow the Medicare Reductions for the Technical Component of Multiple Diagnostic Imaging Services
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield plans to follow the Medicare reductions for the technical component of multiple diagnostic imaging services beginning in the spring of 2007. Following is a quote from the announcement in the December 2006 PRN:
“Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield plans to reduce payment for certain diagnostic imaging services when more than one service is performed for the same patient, during the same session, on the same service date.
Blue Cross Blue Shield’s payment reduction will be similar to the policy implemented by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in January 2006.
Blue Cross Blue Shield’s payment reduction will affect only the technical component of the diagnostic imaging services. Implementation of the payment reduction is planned for spring of 2007.”
Well such action seems fair because it is likely to reduce the overall cost to the consumer.