National Imaging Associates (NIA)
SilverSummit Healthplan has contracted with National Imaging Associates Inc. (NIA), an affiliate of Magellan Health Services, for radiology, cardiac, and therapy benefit management.
The program includes management of non-emergent, high-tech, outpatient radiology services through prior authorization. This program is consistent with industry-wide efforts to ensure clinically appropriate quality of care and to manage the increasing utilization of these services.
SilverSummit Healthplan oversees the NIA program and is responsible for claims adjudication. NIA manages non-emergent outpatient imaging/radiology services through contractual relationships with free-standing facilities.
Prior authorization is required for the following outpatient radiology procedures:
- CT/CTA/CCTA
- MRI/MRA
- PET Scan
KEY PROVISION:
Providers rendering the above services should verify that the necessary authorization has been obtained. Failure to do so may result in non-payment of your claim.
Go to the NIA website for more information
SilverSummit Healthplan, in collaboration with NIA Magellan, will launch a cardiac imaging program to promote health care quality for patients with possible cardiac disease.
Under this program, prior authorization will be required for certain cardiac studies to determine if the cardiac test or procedure is the most appropriate next step in a patient’s diagnosis or treatment—and to recommend an alternate approach when indicated. By supporting the most efficient diagnosis and management of cardiac disease, NIA Magellan addresses unnecessary procedures and promotes the least invasive, most medically appropriate approach.
NIA Magellan has developed proprietary utilization management guidelines for these cardiac modalities. These consensus-based guidelines draw on current literature, American College of Cardiology (ACC) appropriateness criteria, recommendations from the American Heart Association, and input from our Cardiac Advisory Board and other experts. NIA’s guidelines are transparent and available throughout their programs. NIA also includes references to the Choosing Wisely campaign by the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Foundation, which provides specialty society considerations for the selection of appropriate tests.
In addition to the other procedures that currently require prior authorization for members, prior authorization will be required for the following cardiac procedures:
- Myocardial Perfusion Imaging (MPI)
- MUGA Scan
- Echocardiography
- Stress Echocardiography
KEY PROVISION:
Providers rendering the above services should verify that the necessary authorization has been obtained. Failure to do so may result in non-payment of your claim.
Go to the NIA website for more information