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October 2014

Enrollment for BCBSM’s and BCN’s new freestanding radiology center provider type begins on Oct. 1

Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are establishing a freestanding radiology center provider type. This will create the capability to uniquely recognize and reimburse freestanding providers of diagnostic imaging services.

Eligible FRCs, including those owned by hospitals, are encouraged to begin applying for enrollment as FRC providers in the Blue Cross Traditional and Blue Care Network HMO networks on Oct. 1, 2014. All FRCs participating in the Blue Cross Traditional network will be considered in-network for PPO members, and out-of-network sanctions will be waived.

  • Members will be able to search for participating FRCs in provider directories at bcbsm.com and on the Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® Association website.
  • Provider-specific FRC cost information, by procedure, will be available using the provider search function on bcbsm.com.
  • FRCs will be reimbursed for all diagnostic imaging services that are approved by the plan and are covered benefits using the applicable plan’s professional fee schedule.
  • Diagnostic imaging services performed in FRCs in the BCBSM Traditional network will be subject to the current Radiology Management Program preauthorization and privileging requirements for members whose groups have the Radiology Management Program.
  • FRCs participating in the BCN network will follow requirements specified in the Blue Care Network Referral and Clinical Review Program for standard radiology services. In addition, BCN FRCs will be subject to high-tech radiology services preauthorization requirements administered by Care Core National.

As part of the Blue Cross FRC enrollment process, providers will be required to enroll in the AIM Specialty Health OptiNet® assessment tool. OptiNet collects information on the provider’s imaging equipment, staffing credentials, and safety and quality assurance programs. The AIM OptiNet online assessment tool supports informed decision-making by consumers and providers by supplying accurate and current information about imaging facilities and contracted imaging providers. Providers may begin accessing the OptiNet assessment tool on Oct. 1, 2014.

To access the OptiNet assessment tool, freestanding radiology centers may visit the AIM website at www.aimspecialtyhealth.com/marketing/goweb.**

  • Providers who haven’t registered their center’s information for BCBSM will begin by selecting BCBSM from the drop-down menu.
  • Freestanding radiology centers that have already registered within AIM’s provider portal will have the ability to pre-populate the OptiNet registration data fields with corresponding information previously entered.
  • Providers with multiple freestanding radiology center locations will need to complete the assessment for each unique location. If the information in the assessment is similar for more than one location, once the OptiNet assessment is completed for one site, it can be copied for other sites.
  • Freestanding radiology centers that have completed the assessment for another health plan or payer will also need to complete it for BCBSM, but providers may copy and paste the information to their BCBSM record.
  • BCBSM’s provider enrollment page for freestanding radiology centers has a frequently asked questions document that can be referenced for more detailed information.

AIM will host a series of webinars to help BCBSM providers register and complete the OptiNet assessment. The webinars will take place 12 to 1 p.m. Oct. 21 and Oct. 30, and 2 to 3 p.m. Nov. 3. All times are Eastern time.

Providers interested in participating in the AIM webinars can access them here:

For more details about the FRC provider type, see the August and September Record articles on this topic or contact your BCBSM provider type consultant.

**Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan does not control this website or endorse its content.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is an association of independent locally operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield plans.

No portion of this publication may be copied without the express written permission of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan, except that BCBSM participating health care providers may make copies for their personal use. In no event may any portion of this publication be copied or reprinted and used for commercial purposes by any party other than BCBSM.

*CPT codes, descriptions and two-digit numeric modifiers only are copyright 2013 American Medical Association. All rights reserved.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network are nonprofit corporations and
independent licensees of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.