Attorney General's office gets involved in Excellus X-Ray program
By: WROC-TV
Updated: December 13, 2007
The Attorney General's office is now getting involved in a plan by Excellus to require prior approval for basic imaging tests. The AG's office met with the Monroe County Medical Society Wednesday. Tuesday night, the group held a town hall meeting of Rochester doctors to air concerns over the plan. Starting January 2nd, doctors will be required to get approval from Excellus before they can schedule X-rays, CT, MRI or Pet Scans, a process that could take days.
"What we need to know is what is the right way? What information do you need about my patient so that I can get this test scheduled today...they're not giving us that information," says Nancy Adams, Executive Director of the Monroe County Medical Society.
Excellus will not comment on the AG's involvement in the matter but says it is simply trying to make sure patients get the tests they need, adding that nearly one-third are often unnecessary.
