[April 05, 2012]

MedSolutions Responds to Choosing Wisely Campaign, Which Highlights Unnecessary Tests and Procedures

Yesterday, the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation announced a program called Choosing Wisely, which highlights 45 specific tests or procedures that nine leading physician specialty societies say are commonly used by doctors but are not always necessary or prudent for patients. For example, Choosing Wisely calls for patients to question the need for a brain imaging scan like a CT or MRI after fainting, or a stress imaging test of the heart at their annual checkup if they are otherwise healthy.

Twenty-three of the tests the program suggests patients question are ones that MedSolutions (http://www.medsolutions.com/) already manages effectively through the company's prior authorization programs, which apply evidence-based guidelines to ensure appropriate care for 25,000 cases daily. Gregg P. Allen, M.D., FAAFP, executive vice president and chief medical officer for MedSolutions, offered the following response to the announcement:

"While we agree with these groups that overuse and abuse is a chronic problem in our healthcare system, this is not a new issue. For years, the unnecessary tests and procedures laid out by this campaign have been driing up costs and diminishing the quality of care provided to patients. In fact, according to the American College of Physicians, excessive testing costs up to $250 billion annually. A National Cancer Institute study also projects that 30,000 cancers will result from the 72 million CT scans Americans received in 2007 alone.

"The fact is medical specialty societies have had clinical guidelines to aid decision-making in place for years. The challenge is that their use has been inconsistent. For instance, the Journal of the American College of Radiology reported that one-third of imaging studies, like MRIs and CTs, are ordered inappropriately.

"Education of both doctors and patients is an important part of the solution, but it's not enough on its own. Accountability is also an essential part of the equation. There has to be an expert, independent partner to help ensure that the right test is being done for patients every time.

"MedSolutions has worked in partnership with health plans and physicians for over a decade to achieve the very goals of the Choosing Wisely program - to ensure that people receive the appropriate test, if any, to meet their specific healthcare needs. We are an advocate for the patient, asking the same questions about the necessity and benefits of testing that this campaign encourages.

"We approach everything we do like a doctor treating a patient. We base our guidelines on patient symptoms and ensure they are applied in every situation. Our doctors and nurses review patient cases within their specialties. We reward physicians who consistently provide the best care. MedSolutions aligns the best interests of health plans, doctors and, most importantly, patients."

About MedSolutions

MedSolutions is a medical cost management company, saving money for health plans and people by improving patient care. We achieve this through management programs for advanced imaging, cardiac imaging, radiation therapy, ultrasound, sleep management, oncology, spine surgery and implantable cardioverter defibrillators (ICDs), as well as our innovative Premerus® program, which ensures that patients receive expert diagnoses. We are proud to help 27 million Americans receive higher quality, lower cost healthcare. MedSolutions has been recognized for outstanding customer service and effective call center management by the International Customer Management Institute and for four consecutive years by the prestigious J.D. Power and Associates Award. Visit www.medsolutions.com.

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