Houston, TX and Annapolis, MD, PRWeb, May 30, 2013—RadSite™, a leading certification organization promoting quality-based imaging practices, announces it will further extend the reach of its quality-based mission across the country through the newly developed Network Imaging Certification (NIC) Program.  The NIC Program opens the doors for RadSite certification to health plans, networks and other types of payors that require their participating imaging providers to become attested pursuant to the RadSite Assessment Program (RAP).

“RadSite’s Network Imaging Certification Program offers a ‘seal of approval’ for payors and specialty networks willing to mandate RAP,” notes Cherrill Farnsworth, RadSite founder. “Certified networks will receive a national NIC seal that demonstrates their successful compliance with the new guidelines adopted by the RadSite Board of Directors.”

RAP certifies imaging providers based on national standards and benchmarks that promote quality, safety and business efficiency practices.  Since 2005, RadSite has reviewed over 60,000 different imaging systems located at 24,000 imaging facilities across the U.S.  The new NIC Program is geared towards recognizing payers who use RadSite to create and maintain a best-in-class imaging network.

“The diagnostic efficacy, quality, and safety of a radiology exam are critical to quality treatment of the patient,” says Eliot Siegel, MD, chairman of RadSite’s Accreditation Committee.  “RadSite’s new NIC Program rewards health plans, imaging networks and others who are willing to promote better outcomes by utilizing the RAP standards and certification process.”

Creating a separate seal for imaging network and health plan clients interested in mandating RAP for their participating providers affords these RadSite clients a new avenue to publicize their outstanding commitment to quality.

To qualify for Basic Network Imaging Certification, imaging networks must demonstrate that at least 70% of their network is certified through the RAP program. Those with a 90% network certification rate can achieve Full Network Imaging Certification. While NIC certification applies to all provider types and places of service (e.g. physician offices, hospitals, and free-standing imaging facilities) networks may specialize by modality or market region to better suit their specific business needs.

“The NIC program is an important addition to RadSite’s mission to work with all stakeholders when promoting quality-based imaging,” remarks Garry Carneal, JD, MA, RadSite president & CEO.  “This empowers networks and other payors to create ‘smart networks’ and distinguish their organization in a competitive marketplace.  No other agency offers a similar certification geared to the entity sponsoring the imaging network.”

Achieving the NIC seal of approval also allows participants to capitalize on other RAP benefits, including reduced costs as highlighted in a recent outcomes study by Trajectory® Healthcare, LLC, and the ability to pay for RAP through the quality bucket under the Medical Loss Ratio (MLR).

RadSite offers an array of quality-based, cost-savings assessment, certification and accreditation programs that promote best practices in imaging and other specialty services across the United States and its territories. The comprehensive programs highlight opportunities for imaging facilities to achieve a high level of quality that benefits all members of the health care continuum. RadSite also offers educational and reporting services for health plans, imaging providers, regulators, consumers and others.

For more information about RadSite, or to learn more about the Network Imaging Certification Program, contact Angie Yasulitis at (410) 940-8222 or yasulitisa@radsitequality.com.

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About RadSite™ (www.RadSiteQuality.com)

Founded in 2005, RadSite’s mission is to promote quality-based practices for imaging systems across the United States and its territories. RadSite has reviewed over 24,000 imaging facilities covering about 60,000 imaging systems. RadSite’s certification and accreditation programs help assess, track and report imaging trends in an effort to enhance imaging procedures and outcomes. RadSite also offers educational programs, publishes issue briefs, and underwrites research on a complimentary basis to raise awareness of patient safety issues and to promote best practices. The organization is governed by an independent board and committee system, which is open to a wide-range of volunteers to ensure transparency and accountability. RadSite is expanding its activities and resources to serve patients, providers, payers, government agencies, and other stakeholder groups. To learn more about RadSite, please contact us at (855) 440-6001 or info@radsitequality.com.