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New Imaging Management Program for The Boeing Company Members

February 27, 2013

We are delivering this message on behalf of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois (BCBSIL).

Effective January 1, 2013, The Boeing Company, in partnership with BCBSIL and AIM Specialty HealthSM, has expanded its Radiology Quality Initiative (RQI) program to 15 additional states. AIM is an independent company that reviews advanced imaging services for clinical appropriateness on behalf of BCBSIL.

This makes AIM effective for all Boeing employees. RQI is a prospective clinical review program for outpatient advanced diagnostic imaging services. You can identify participating members by the alpha prefixes (“BHP,” “BYR,” “BEM,” “BCU”) on their member ID cards.

The diagnostic imaging studies covered under this program include:

  • Computed Tomography (CT/CTA)
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI/MRA)
  • Nuclear Cardiology
  • Positron Emission Tomography (PET)

Imaging studies performed in conjunction with these are excluded from this requirement:

  • Emergency room services
  • Inpatient hospitalization
  • Outpatient surgery (hospitals and free standing surgery centers)
  • Urgent care centers
  • 23-hour observations

How the Process Works

Similar to your existing imaging management program, please contact AIM for an order number before scheduling one of these outpatient advanced diagnostic imaging procedures for a Boeing member. We strongly encourage imaging providers to verify that they have received an order number before scheduling and perfomring diagnostic imaging exams.

You can contact AIM to request or verify an order number in one of two ways:

If you are already registered for AIM's ProviderPortal, you do not need to register again.

Required Information for Imaging Requests

Here is a checklist to ensure you have all the information you need to request an imaging exam:

  • Member;s ID number, name, date of birth and health plan
  • Ordering physician's information (name location)
  • Imaging provider's information (name, location)
  • Imaging exam(s) being requested (body part, right, left or bilateral)
  • Patient diagnosis (suspected or confirmed)
  • Clinical symptoms/indications (intensity/duration)

For most situations, this information will suffice. For complex cases, more information may be necessary, including:

  • Results of past treatment history:
    • Previous tests
    • Duration of previous therapy
    • Relevant clinical medical history

If you have any questions or need additional information, please call the number on the back of the member's ID card.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

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