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May 2015
Interested in becoming a Blue Cross freestanding radiology center? Enroll today
What is a freestanding radiology center?
A freestanding radiology center is a fixed-location or mobile facility that provides non-emergency diagnostic imaging services to ambulatory patients.
FRCs may include nonhospital and hospital-owned facilities. An FRC doesn’t include doctors’ offices with imaging services if their primary focus is the management and treatment of their own patients’ conditions. FRCs will be reimbursed for all diagnostic imaging services that are approved by the plan and are covered benefits using the professional fee schedule.
Mobile facilities are imaging units capable of operating remotely at two or more sites. The sites are authorized by the Michigan Department of Community Health under a contractual agreement. The mobile facilities must visit the sites on a regularly scheduled basis with the imaging technology typically not separate or unattached from the travel vehicle. Portable X-ray suppliers would not qualify as mobile FRCs.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan is continuing to enroll freestanding radiology centers as a new type of provider that offers diagnostic imaging services. The freestanding radiology center provider type became effective Jan. 1, 2015.
Creating this new provider type allows Blue Cross to uniquely recognize and reimburse freestanding providers of diagnostic imaging services. It also supports customer and market demands for enhanced access to provider- and service-related cost transparency information for Blue Cross members.
Blue Cross members can now find FRCs in provider directories at bcbsm.com and on the Blue Cross® and Blue Shield® Association website, including where they are located and average cost information for diagnostic imaging services and their estimated out-of-pocket costs. The enhanced ability to view and compare cost information will continue to be leveraged in Blue Cross benefit and product designs.
Eligible providers are encouraged to apply for enrollment in Blue Cross’ Traditional network. All participating FRCs will be considered in-network for PPO members, and out-of-network sanctions will be waived.
If you have any questions, contact your provider consultant.
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