American Imaging Management Announces Expanded Solutions for Managing Diagnostic Imaging

New Web-based Application Enables Health Plan to Reduce Utilization by 20 Percent

CHICAGO – Sept. 26, 2005 – American Imaging Management (AIM), the leader in intelligent management solutions for diagnostic imaging services, announced the launch of its IMASIS online clinical management system Sept. 26 at BlueCross BlueShield Association’s Best Practices in Medical and Pharmacy Management Conference.

IMASIS is the industry’s first and only full functional, customizable Web-based radiology management call center application. The IMASIS online clinical management system gives health plans the ability to manage outpatient diagnostic imaging within their existing call centers.

At the conference, Dr. David Soffa, Senior Vice President of Medical Affairs at AIM, and John Jesser, Vice President of Healthcare Management for Northern and Central Ohio at Anthem BCBS, presented a case study on IMASIS as an innovative new approach to radiology management. The two organizations partnered to create a “hybrid” model for management of diagnostic imaging services. Wellpoint Central’s Region leveraged the expertise of its own call center, and combined that expertise with the power of IMASIS to achieve optimal return on investment. In the program’s first year, Wellpoint’s Central Region is projected to reduce utilization of expensive high-tech imaging by approximately 20 percent.

Throughout the presentation, Jesser detailed how AIM’s customized solutions have resulted in a significant reduction in high tech diagnostic imaging costs, in addition to streamlined call center operations. Jesser noted that Anthem BCBS’ partnership with AIM is designed to ensure that enrollees receive the most appropriate and highest quality diagnostic imaging exam. Imaging costs in the United States have grown significantly in the past five years, due to an overall increase in the volume of imaging studies and a shift to newer and more expensive high-tech modalities. High-tech imaging services such as MRI and CT are leading the growth in imaging tests, according to the American College of Radiology.

By 2005, diagnostic imaging costs are expected to total as much as $100 billion nationally, an increase from $75 billion in 2000, according to a recent BlueCross and BlueShield Association study. An aging population, expanded uses for existing technology and rising consumer demand are just a few factors that will continue to drive overall imaging costs.

“IMASIS is one of the many unique tools AIM uses to manage the cost of diagnostic imaging,” said Dr. David Soffa. Health plans trust AIM’s clinical leadership to identify and promote the most appropriate use of diagnostic imaging.”

About American Imaging Management

Founded in 1989, Deerfield, Ill.-based AIM was the first company to focus exclusively on management of outpatient diagnostic imaging services. Since its inception, AIM has developed proven management programs to assist health plans in promoting the most appropriate use of outpatient diagnostic imaging services. AIM’s programs help manage diagnostic imaging services for more than 10 million people on behalf of health insurers across the United States.

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