Following is a news release based on an article published in the August issue of Neurology, the scientific journal of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). For a copy of the full article or for more information, contact Sarah Parsons or Rona Stewart at 612-695-1940 or by e-mail [email protected].
EMBARGOED FOR RELEASE UNTIL WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 20, 1997 AAN Issues Guidelines on Ethical Considerations in Managed Care ST. PAUL, MN (August 20, 1997) The American Academy of Neurology (AAN) has issued guidelines for neurologists on the ethical considerations that arise in the managed care environment. The guidelines are published in the August issue of the AANÃs scientific journal, Neurology.
The interests of the patients must be paramount in any ethical situation involving managed care, the guidelines stress.
ìThese guidelines call upon neurologists to argue against any roadblock obstructing good care to patients, no matter what the consequences,î said neurologist Michael McQuillen, MD, principal author of the guidelines, of the University of Rochester School of Medicine in Rochester, NY.
Managed care organizations may restrict patients with neurological conditions from receiving optimal care. Restrictions that limit access to care should be based on scientific studies, and should not be locally defined or biased, the AAN guidelines state.
The guidelines call upon neurologists to challenge limitations that: interrupt patient care; deny patients with chronic and complex disorders the care of a qualified specialist; or expose patients to unnecessary hassle and red tape.
McQuillen said, ìAs patients begin to recognize the impact that managed care policies have on their care when they are sick, we believe they will recognize the importance of guidelines such as these. The public needs to know that, in spite of the maelstrom weÃre in at the moment, neurologists continue to insist that the patient comes first.î
Patients with neurological disorders are uniquely at risk in the managed care environment, McQuillen said. ìPatients with chronic disorders such as AlzheimerÃs disease, ParkinsonÃs disease, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis are at risk when they cannot be treated by the physicians whose training uniquely qualifies them to treat these disorders.î
The guidelines also state that managed care organizations should not encourage or require care below standards set by the medical profession. The policies of managed care organizations should be disclosed fully to patients and physicians, according to the guidelines. For example, the guidelines call for neurologists to refuse to sign contracts that prevent them from discussing with patients beneficial treatment options not covered by the managed care organization.
The guidelines state, ìWhen confronted with conflicts between their best clinical judgment for patients and the rules governing the plans in which those patients are enrolled, neurologists should disclose choices fully; join with their patients in appealing adverse decisions; and even assist those patients to find alternate avenues of care.î
The AAN is an association of more than 14,500 neurologists and neuroscience professionals dedicated to improving patient care through education and research.
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