Even though I don't exhibit any of the signs of COPD, this new doc I'm going to insisted on "assigning" me a COPD diagnosis and stage based on the number of years I smoked cigs. That will now go on my permanent medical record. Obamascare is going to have me dead and buried according to their rules, way before that happens!
That's whats called "utilization" or medical neccessity standards; protocals, etc. and what I've been battling with insurance for almost 2 decades now. It's hardly new and insurance claims it's "propietary" (secret). At least a person can look up Medicare's as long as they are in the traditional plan.
Anyway, that's what I'm looking into now. I don't have high confidence in my plan. Oh yea, how could they tell anything without a comparison ct, which they didn't have (in my case). I'll need to see the records - at least I will have some from there. So points for their efforts and it does eliminate a lot of big stuff.
There are national standards for dxng COPD everywhere if you can read the proffessional lit. Just go with large reviews / orgainzations with authority. In fact, Medicare is a good place to start. You have to "accept" that you are a medical professional and it takes time to go through the database, but it'll give you standards, working group, citations, and coverage decisions. It's kind of the baeline.