New Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Imaging Program to Help Members Get the Most Value for Their Health Care Dollar

LOUISVILLE, Ky. --(Business Wire)--

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky has launched a program statewide that can help members save money on imaging services like MRI's and CT scans.

Anthem's Imaging Quality & Cost program provides information on facilities that provide MRI's and/or CT scans and how those facilities rank in terms of quality and cost. Armed with this information, members are empowered to make more informed decisions about their health care and its costs.

The program will present members with choices that could enable them to save hundreds of dollars on imaging services.

Here's how the Imaging Quality & Cost program works:

An Anthem member who has been pre-approved for an imaging procedure receives a call from an Anthem outreach specialist, who provides information about other less expensive, but still high-quality imaging providers in the area. The member makes the final decision as to where he or she will receive those services and will not be penalized in any way for not choosing the less expensive provider.

"We are aware of the wide differences in costs for MRI, CT, and other imaging services between independent outpatient imaging centers and hospital-based centers," said Dr. George Privett, Jr. owner and medical director of the Lexington Diagnostic Center and Open MRI. "We are pleased that Anthem has initited this program for its clients, who may have high deductible health plans or high co-pays. As a provider, we look forward to providing cost-effective, high-quality imaging services to Anthem's subscribers."

Outpatient diagnostic imaging is one of the fastest growing segments in health care, with procedures growing at a double-digit rate annually.

"Our goal is to help our members get the most value for their health care dollar," said Mike Lorch, vice president of provider contracting and engagement for Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky. "Although the quality of care is often comparable, the difference between 'high' and 'low' cost imaging providers in different parts of Kentucky can be hundreds of dollars. When the policyholder is responsible for 20 percent of the cost, there could be a considerable savings in out of pocket expenses depending on which imaging provider the patient goes to."

This innovative program is just one of the many initiatives Anthem has under way to promote the high-quality, cost-effective care options for its members.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Kentucky, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Kentucky is available at www.anthem.com. Also, follow us on Twitter (News - Alert) at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook (News - Alert) at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinIn, or visit our YouTube (News - Alert) channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin.