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CARRIER ADVISORY COMMITTEE INFORMATION
As the complexity and sophistication of the practice of Radiology has increased over the past ten or fifteen years, so has the importance of maintaining a positive and constructive relationship with all payers. Ask any radiologist about this, and he or she will no doubt have many examples of claims denials because of a lack of understanding in the insurance industry as to how radiologic procedures are performed and how new technology evolves for the patient’s benefit. Even in the Medicare system, problems and difficulties arise at the carrier level when communication between the specialty and the payer is inadequate or nonexistent. As many radiologists know, Medicare has, by statute, an obligation to meet with the representative physicians from the various specialty societies through the Carrier Advisory Committee, better known as the CAC. Meeting quarterly, the CAC serves as the clearinghouse for the discussion of Medicare policy at the Carrier level, as well as offering a forum for the free and open discussion of other issues concerning payment and provider education. A very successful program, the CAC network is a valuable and effective venue. The Virginia Chapter CAC representative is responsible for attending regularly scheduled meetings with the medical Director of the regional Medicare carrier and is allowed to provide comments on proposed local medical review policies (LMRP). The LMRP is the guideline for billable indications for covered medical procedures and tests by the carrier. ANTHEM ADVISORY COMMITTEE Anthem is currently piloting a project in Connecticut that will educate the medical community about the importance of judicious use of x-rays. The Virginia Chapter Board was contacted by Anthem and expressed our interest in being actively involved in the development of a similar program for our state and that the ACR’s position has been and continues to be guided by the principle of “As low as reasonably achievable.” (ALARA)