Re: Level three sonogram
From: art fougner, md (evsono@pipeline.com)
Wed Jul 17 13:23:27 2002
scond rule - deny receipt of the claim.
third rule - downcode claims.
just my opinion - i could be wrong.
now with regard to nuchal scans - i would think that the FASTER trial
will have major impact on this.
art
At Wed, 17 Jul 2002, viv souter wrote:
>
> Hi Art and Allen
>I agree that the quality of ultrasound varies between different providers and I am not suggesting that the standard should be reduced to the lowest common denominator.... but, like Allan, I am not convinced that the quality of the ultrasound always follows the charge or the qualifications.
>I was surprised coming to the USA, how many of the scans are performed by sonographers and "signed off" by family practitioners, obstetricians and perinatologists. Obstetricians / perinatologists who are personally expert at ultrasound scanning seem to be in the minority, although I admit my experience of USA practice is limited. The sensitivity of ultrasound as a screening test may therefore be more closely correlated with the skill of the individual sonographer and the quality of the ultrasound equipment.
>There are also scans that are paid for directly by patients and not re imbursed by insurance companies; these currently include NT scanning in some places and ultrasound for infertility treatment. Are there are any regulations regarding charges for these scans?
>Vivienne
>
> "art fougner, md" <evsono@pipeline.com> wrote: right - i can see the folks linin up to request the low cost no frills
>low quality study LOL.
>
>art
>
>At Tue, 16 Jul 2002, Allen Worrall wrote:
>>
>>Vivienne - I think there is an element of charging what the traffic will bear. Also, there is often a big difference between what we charge and what we collect. The third party payers will only pay what they want to pay.
>>
>>I sometimes think the insurance industry does not pay much attention to prenatal ultrasound, because it is a drop in the bucket compared to many of the medical procedures they have to pay for.
>>
>>I have no way of knowing how the charges differ from one place to another. I am in a position to know that the quality of the exam, and the quality of the reports, varies tremendously from one place to another.
>>
>>I suspect there is little correlation between the charge and the quality.
>>
>>Allen
>>
>>Joseph A Worrall MD RDMS
>>The Fairbanks Clinic
>>1919 Lathrop Street, Suite 100
>>Fairbanks, AK 99701
>>jworrall@alaska.net
>>http://www.obgynsono.com
>>
>>>>> ----- Original Message -----
>> From: viv souter
>> To: Multiple recipients of list ULTRASOUND
>> Sent: Tuesday, July 16, 2002 6:54 AM
>> Subject: RE: Level three sonogram
>>
>> Hi
>>
>> I am a bit confused about charging for ultrasound exams in the USA; some centers charge large amounts of money for a limited exam and I have been told that this is because the scan is being performed by a "more highly trained person" (an ob/gyn with subspecialty training rather than a radiologist) and that it is a level three scan (!!). As a lowly British doctor, I am at a loss to understand this......
>>
>> Vivienne
>>
>> "DuBose, Terry" wrote:
>>
>> Karen, I think "level three" is a meaningless term. Probably used by some
>> to inflate their ego(s). There are different ideas about how the level 1
>> and 2 got started, and the meaning. The AIUM and CPT codes do not recognize
>> any but complete and limited exams, no levels 1 or 2.
>>
>> For an interesting take on this look for an AJR editorial by Dr. Roy
>> Filly... for more see:
>>
>> http://forums.obgyn.net/womens-health/WHF.9709/0168.html
>>
>> Hope this helps.
>>
>> Peace, Terry J. DuBose, M.S., RDMS
>> Assistant Professor & Director, Diagnostic Medical Sonography Program
>> CHRP, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences
>> Little Rock, Arkansas, USA
>> 501-686-6510
>> http://www.io.com/~dubose/
>> http://www.uams.edu/CHRP/dmshome.htm
>> http://www.obgyn.net/us/panel/panel.htm
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: kroersmardms@netscape.net [mailto:kroersmardms@n! etscape.net]
>> Sent: Monday, July 15, 2002 8:29 PM
>> To: Multiple recipients of list ULTRASOUND
>> Subject: Level three sonogram
>>
>> What's a "level three" sonogram? I've not heard this term before First
>> Look used it on website. I thought even the "level two" moniker was
>> going by the wayside in favor of "targeted" scan.
>>
>> ~Karen
>
>--
>art fougner, md
>ich bin ein New Yorker
>
--
art fougner, md
ich bin ein New Yorker
