RESOLVED, That the North Carolina Medical Society opposes the preemption of treating physicians’ judgments by third party payors in responsibilities including, but not limited to, the following:

• Selection of diagnostic tests that are appropriate;
• When and to whom in-plan physician referral is indicated;
• When and to whom out-of-plan physician referral is indicated;
• When and with whom consultation is indicated;
• When non-emergency hospitalization is indicated;
• When hospitalization from the Emergency Department is indicated;
• Choice of in-plan service sites for specific services (office, out-patient department, home care, etc.);
• Hospital length of stay;
• Frequency and length of hospital out-patient visits or care;
• Use of out-of-formulary medications;
• When and what surgery is indicated;
• When termination of extraordinary heroic care is indicated;
• Recommendations to patients for other treatment options, including non-covered care;
• Scheduling of on-call coverage;
• Terminating a physician/patient relationship;
• Whether to work with and what responsibility should be delegated to mid level practitioners; and
• Determination of the most appropriate treatment methodology.