Business
Aetna stops paying for some "never events"
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Sept. 7, 2009
As part of what it called a new patient safety initiative, Aetna said it will not pay for three so-called never events: performing the wrong surgery, performing surgery on the wrong person, or performing surgery on the wrong part or side of the body.
Additionally, facilities, physicians and other health care professionals will be required to waive all charges related to any of these events.
Aetna said health care facilities will also be required to waive charges that are directly and solely related to eight other specific serious reportable events.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2009/09/07/bibf0907.htm.