Turf wars in radiology: privileging and site accreditation programs--what they have accomplished for commercial health plans.
In recent years, some commercial health plans have instituted privileging and site accreditation programs for providers of diagnostic imaging. This article describes how these programs work and points out that they can help restrict self-referral and the overutilization that accompanies it. Another advantage is that they can help eliminate low-quality providers. Radiologists should encourage health plans in their area to develop and implement these measures.
Levin
David C
DC
Department of Radiology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital and Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA. david.levin@mail.tju.edu
Rao
Vijay M
VM
D000068:Accreditation; D006801:Humans; D007357:Insurance, Physician Services / Q000191:economics / Q000639:trends*; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008504:Medical Staff Privileges; D018584:Physician Self-Referral; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D011871:Radiology / Q000191:economics / Q000193:education* / Q000592:standards*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States