As previously communicated in Partners in Health 
UpdateSM, effective April 1, 2019, all network 
offices that perform varicose vein procedures will need to obtain office-level 
accreditation from the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) Vein 
Center. This new accreditation requirement will help ensure that offices in the 
Independence network meet current standards of care for these procedures.
All network offices that plan to perform or would like to continue 
performing varicose vein procedures must appear on the IAC-approved 
list for Vein Center Accreditation by April 1, 2019, indicating that they have 
met the IAC standards. Those offices that fail to meet the requirements by this 
date will no longer be reimbursed for varicose vein procedures.
Accreditation process
Offices seeking accreditation through the IAC should prepare and submit 
their applications using the IAC online accreditation portal. The application process 
for accreditation takes time and requires proper planning, organization, 
attention to detail, and resources.  
Offices that wish to participate in the IAC Standards for Vein Center 
accreditation process are encouraged to first view the current IAC Standards for Vein Center Accreditation: Superficial 
Venous Evaluation and Management document.
More information
To learn more about the IAC Vein Center accreditation program, please visit 
the IAC website 
or call 1-800-838-2110.
Note: Independence commercial and Medicare Advantage policies will 
be updated to reflect this new accreditation requirement.
We will publish more information about this requirement in future 
Partners in Health Update articles. If you have additional questions, 
please email us at qualitymanagement@ibx.com. Be sure to include your name, contact number, 
and provider ID number in your email.