BC/BS denials of iontophoresis

[Guest guest]

Dear Group,

Very strange...all the sudden, our outpatients have been denied payment from

BC/BS for iontophoresis. Has anyone else had trouble with this? This is a very

troubling change due to the effectiveness of using this modality. Any

supportive research leads to argue why it should be a covered service?

Thanks!

Curtis

[Guest guest]

Curtis, it depends where you are. We are in central IL and are mostly denied

here also but there are a few BC/BS sub plans that will cover. Best to educate

the pt and have them check their plan to see if it is covered prior to rendering

the service. As an aside, our Medicare FI no longer pays ionto either. They

claim that there is insufficient research to justify the procedure. They have

not been flexible in negotiating this point. Hope that helps.

Todd Mourning, PT

Manager of Therapy Services

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital

315 8th Street

Lincoln, IL 62656

(direct)

(fax)

mourning.todd@...

________________________________

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

Curtis Marti

Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 9:44 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: BC/BS denials of iontophoresis

Dear Group,

Very strange...all the sudden, our outpatients have been denied payment from

BC/BS for iontophoresis. Has anyone else had trouble with this? This is a very

troubling change due to the effectiveness of using this modality. Any supportive

research leads to argue why it should be a covered service?

Thanks!

Curtis

[Guest guest]

Curtis, it depends where you are. We are in central IL and are mostly denied

here also but there are a few BC/BS sub plans that will cover. Best to educate

the pt and have them check their plan to see if it is covered prior to rendering

the service. As an aside, our Medicare FI no longer pays ionto either. They

claim that there is insufficient research to justify the procedure. They have

not been flexible in negotiating this point. Hope that helps.

Todd Mourning, PT

Manager of Therapy Services

Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital

315 8th Street

Lincoln, IL 62656

(direct)

(fax)

mourning.todd@...

________________________________

From: PTManager [mailto:PTManager ] On Behalf Of

Curtis Marti

Sent: Wednesday, December 03, 2008 9:44 AM

To: PTManager

Subject: BC/BS denials of iontophoresis

Dear Group,

Very strange...all the sudden, our outpatients have been denied payment from

BC/BS for iontophoresis. Has anyone else had trouble with this? This is a very

troubling change due to the effectiveness of using this modality. Any supportive

research leads to argue why it should be a covered service?

Thanks!

Curtis