Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan has added full-field digital mammography to its list of covered services, but the Detroit-based payor opted not to pay a premium for FFDM studies. Blue Cross Blue Shield began paying for FFDM exams starting September 1 at the same rate that it pays for conventional screening mammography studies, the insurer announced last week.
BCBSM said it arrived at its decision after conducting a literature review and holding a public forum that included its subscribers, physicians, and community members. The payor said that it found medical literature indicating that digital mammography is not as accurate as film mammography for cancer screening. But several practicing mammographers rebutted this finding, stating that in their opinion FFDM exams are at least equivalent to -- and in some cases better than -- film mammography.
BCBSM said its decision will undergo continued review, and that it may change its coverage policy if evidence demonstrates that FFDM is less effective or adds to costs without adding corresponding value.
By AuntMinnie.com staff writersSeptember 3, 2002
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Is full-field digital mammography worth its weight in gold?, October 22, 2001
Full-field digital mammography compares well to screen-film, November 27, 2000
Mammography market stands at crossroads, September 25, 2001
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