What if payors impose such stringent guidelines or narrow formularies that physicians cannot provide appropriate treatment to some patients?
The ACR will work diligently with private and public payors to educate them about the critical importance of evidence-based, patient-centered, physician-directed care. This means it is critical for physicians to follow scientifically based best practices. It also means that when best practices do not apply to individual patients, by virtue of their unique biology, capabilities, health status or other personal circumstances, physicians must have the flexibility to treat them according to their needs. It is important to remember that when payor policies are based upon the ACR’s accepted QPIs, the policies will be well-aligned with good medical practice.
