Not Policy of Blue Cross
In the Valley View section, Times writer Aurora Mackey quoted a representative of Blue Cross of California in her story “Operating With a New Technique” about laparoscopic hysterectomy, a procedure still considered investigational by the medical profession.
Our representative’s statement that, “Once it (the procedure) is approved by the FDA, we would cover it” is inaccurate and not consistent with Blue Cross medical policy.
The BCC medical department evaluates coverage of treatment of its members with new procedures or technologies on a case-by-case basis, until the new technology appears to have reached the threshold of acceptance in our medical community. The available information is then evaluated by our Medical Advisory Committee, consisting of independent practitioners, specialists and other experts.
Their recommendations serve as the basis for BCC’s medical policy guidelines.
DAVID CHERNOF, M.D.
Woodland Hills
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