ACR Carrier Advisory Committee Network: The Development of Local Networks
The ACR Council passed a resolution at the September ACR Annual Meeting approving ACR development of a state model for coordination and communication of local carrier advisory committee activities. The resolution requires coordination with various associated radiology organizations-including the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA)-to secure their input into local medical review policies and specifically into the Carrier Advisory Committee (CAC) process. This model will emphasize the ACR's commitment to advising and supporting radiologists' interactions with Medicare at the local level.
The ACR believes that coordination of subspecialty input has specific advantages, particularly in states where radiology CPT codes have been the target of local medical review policies. However, there is no mandate placed on the state chapters. All state chapter and CAC representatives retain the freedom to pursue any course they believe is in the best interest of their state's radiologists. The ACR is committed to providing as much assistance as possible to each CAC representative. The ACR believes adoption of this model by the state chapters, the subspecialty societies and the RBMA will create a better organized and potentially more effective mechanism for dealing with local Medicare issues.
Following is the resolution language that passed at the September 1999 ACR Annual Meeting:
Resolution No. 42 ACR Carrier Advisory Committee Networks
Be it resolved that the ACR develop a state model for coordination and communication of local Carrier Advisory Committee (CAC) activities, and
Be it further resolved that the ACR encourage and assist coordination of the development of local subspecialty advisory panels to aid local CAC members in the review of local carrier policies, and
Be it further resolved that the ACR act as the central repository of communication and information for the radiology and radiation oncology CAC networks.
