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Coronary Computed Tomography Angiography

A pilot program to study the use of coronary computed tomography angiography, a promising, noninvasive technology that could replace conventional cardiac catheterization in the future, is underway. CCTA uses contrast materials in the arteries and high-resolution CT machinery to obtain detailed images of blood vessels and the heart.


William Beaumont Hospital is coordinating the program with data provided by participating providers in the Advanced Cardiovascular Imaging Consortium. The ACIC is a group of providers charged with developing and monitoring the best uses, techniques and interpretation of CCTA. The Michigan Blues are funding the program. The ACIC will provide administrative, logistic, statistical and analytical support for the program.


New coverage provided

Prior to the heart scan program, the Blues did not cover CCTA scans. However, we are reimbursing consortium providers for CCTA scans, with the exception of scans for members of:


  • Traditional plans
  • Medicare Advantage plans
  • Some self-funded employer groups that determine health benefits coverage for their members (These groups are currently evaluating the technology. We will announce their coverage policies when finalized.)

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan funding helps consortium providers collect and report data to a central database to document the use of CCTA. Analyses of the data can lead to developing best practice guidelines for providers and start a continuous quality improvement program in cardiovascular imaging. Each participating consortium group will be able to compare its data with aggregate performance data from all groups in the study. Aggregate data is used in the study; individual data is kept confidential. Learn more about CCTA.


Since the program's launch in 2007, preliminary findings showed that radiation exposure among patients receiving cardiac CT procedures at participating centers was reduced by 52% by end of 12 months from 25 mSv in 15 original sites to 11 mSv by June 2008 with no change in image quality. The Coordinating Center continues to work with CT technology leader to further reduce radiation dose. At the same time, the findings showed that 18% of patients undergoing the procedure were found to be without symptoms. The Coordinating Center is in the process of analyzing practice pattern variation in regard to this cohort of patients. A clinical champion is working with participating centers to develop relevant clinical algorithm and related CME presentations for dissemination by participating center clinical leads throughout the Consortium.


CCTA Program Standards



CCTA participating facilities

Consortium Hospitals

(subject to change):

  • Bay Regional Medical Center, Bay City
  • Borgess Medical Center, Kalamazoo
  • Bronson Hospital, Kalamazoo
  • Chippewa County War Memorial Hospital, Sault Ste. Marie
  • Crittenton Hospital Medical Center, Rochester
  • DMC Huron Valley-Sinai Hospital, Commerce
  • Garden City Hospital, Garden City
  • Hackley Hospital, Muskegon
  • Harper University Hospital, Detroit
  • Henry Ford Hospital, Detroit
  • Hillsdale Community Health Center, Hillsdale
  • Ingham Regional Medical Center, Lansing
  • Lakeland Regional Health System, St. Joseph
  • Marquette General Health System, Marquette
  • Mercy Memorial, Monroe
  • Munson Medical Center, Traverse City
  • Northern Michigan Hospital, Petoskey
  • Oakwood Annapolis Hospital, Wayne
  • Oakwood Heritage Hospital in Taylor
  • Oakwood Hospital, Dearborn
  • Oakwood Southshore Medical Center, Trenton
  • Pontiac Osteopathic Hospital, Pontiac
  • Sparrow Health System, Lansing
  • St. John Hospital & Medical Center, Detroit
  • St. John Macomb-Oakland Hospital, Warren and Madison Heights
  • St. John Providence Hospital, Southfield
  • St. Joseph Health System, Tawas City
  • St. Joseph Mercy Hospital, Ann Arbor
  • St. Joseph Mercy Hospital Oakland, Pontiac
  • St. Mary Mercy Hospital, Livonia
  • University of Michigan Hospital, Ann Arbor
  • William Beaumont Hospital, Grosse Point
  • William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak
  • William Beaumont Hospital, Troy

Consortium Physician Groups

(subject to change):

  • Michigan Heart & Vascular Institute, Ann Arbor
  • Thoracic & Vascular Institute, Lansing
  • HealthFirst Imaging Center, West Bloomfield
  • Southgate Radiology and Southgate CT, Southgate
  • West Michigan Cardiology, Grand Rapids