December 10, 2015 — Merge Healthcare, an IBM Company, has entered an agreement with AIM Specialty Health (AIM) to automate and streamline the process providers undertake to obtain imaging study prior authorizations from payers. The agreement will benefit both providers and payers using Radiology Benefits Management (RBM) programs administered by AIM as well as Merge customers, including imaging centers and hospitals using Merge’s iConnect Network Services (iCNS).
iCNS is a comprehensive technology-based solution which electronically routes imaging study orders, manages incoming prior authorizations and communicates medical imaging results among healthcare professionals in a HIPAA-compliant manner.
Some physician practices and medical imaging providers continue to navigate multiple online portals to input the patient eligibility and clinical data required by multiple payers. This new partnership intends to ease the administrative effort, providing access to the AIM solution platform directly from within the iCNS environment. Medical imaging providers will be able to manage incoming orders, payer prior authorization and results delivery from a comprehensive technology platform.
The integrated Merge and AIM solution will be available starting in early 2016, increasing RBM program access to the prior authorization process administered by AIM on behalf of participating health plans. Additionally, providers at imaging centers can securely submit clinical appropriateness review requests directly from their iCNS interface, simplifying and improving coordination among healthcare management systems. Because iCNS is vendor neutral, even imaging providers not already using other Merge solutions may benefit from this collaboration.
For more information: www.merge.com
July 28, 2026 
