Practice and Advocacy
AAO-HNS StoreReimbursement Exclusivity for Imaging Studies
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. strongly endorses the practice of providing patients with safe, timely, convenient and expert diagnostic imaging studies and interpretation by a variety of qualified specialists. All Otolaryngologists receive training in head and neck imaging studies as part of their medical specialty training, and it is a component of the Scope of Knowledge for Board Certification.
The American Academy of Otolaryngology- Head and Neck Surgery strongly believes that patients should receive the most appropriate imaging modality to help diagnose their condition. The appropriate and medically indicated diagnostic services should be reimbursed whether provided by radiologists or other qualified physicians. Imaging studies should only be ordered when absolutely necessary in the best interest of the patient and essential for quality care.
Patients will not benefit from an anticompetitive policy favoring exclusivity or monopolization of diagnostic techniques by one medical specialty. Such a restrictive policy most likely will lead to higher prices for diagnostic imaging studies services, will negatively impact access to care, may reduce quality of care, and will not resolve concerns regarding the growth in the utilization of imaging studies.
Adopted 7/13/96
Reviewed 3/1/98
Reaffirmed 3/1/98
Modified 6/2006
Guidelines are not a substitute for the experience and judgment of a physician and are developed to enhance the physicians' ability to practice evidence-based medicine.
Important Notice
The American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Inc. and Foundation (AAO-HNS/F) Policy Statements are guidelines only. In no sense do they represent a standard of care. The applicability of an indicator for a procedure, and/or of the process or outcome criteria, must be determined by the responsible physician in light of all the circumstances presented by the individual patient. Adherence to these guidelines will not ensure successful treatment in every situation. The AAO-HNS emphasizes that these policies should not be deemed inclusive of all proper treatment decisions or methods of care, nor exclusive of other treatment decisions or methods of care reasonably directed to obtaining the same results.
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