Imaging e-Ordering Coalition to Document Expense of RBMs

May 19, 2010 - The Imaging e-Ordering Coalition announced today it is seeking assistance from ordering and imaging providers who are willing to document their administrative expenses in ordering through a radiology benefits management (RBM) company, including the appeals process for those orders.

"The RBM model is intrusive for the patient, administratively expensive for providers and does not promote continuous care improvement through its design," said Liz Quam, executive director, CDI Quality Institute, Center for Diagnostic Imaging.

The Imaging e-Ordering Coalition is a group of imaging industry providers, manufacturers and software vendors working to stop the wave of RBM adoption in the private and public sectors.

"The is a need to counter the RBM advocates by providing information that indicates the inefficiencies of the RBM model," added Quam.

The coalition is developing a white paper that can be shared with federal and state policy makers which will include this real information from those who care for patients.

The paper will also articulate why clinical decision support is the desirable option as it is:

1. A “continuous improvement” guidance tool for the ordering clinician, fostering quality rather than the “gotcha” mentality of the “captain, may I?” culture of the RBM;
2. A tool that allow the treating clinician and the patient to make the care decisions without a third party dictating the care step; and
3. A reasonable and efficacious to electronically document the clinical appropriateness of the test being given – for both the ordering provider and the imaging provider.

"A third party involved can lead to distrust and, therefore, does not foster patient-centered care.

If you are interested in assisting in this effort, please contact Liz Quam at [email protected] or Tim Kulbago at [email protected].

For more information: www.CDIrad.com