ACR Efforts to Combat Self-Referral
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN, ACR BOARD OF CHANCELLORS
The American College of Radiology is working hard on the issue of self-referral. The following letter on the topic was mailed to ACR members in March. It is reprinted here for those who may have missed it.
Dear Member:
Your very real concerns regarding self-referral, articulated loudly and clearly during the issues session at the May 2003 ACR Annual Meeting and Chapter Leadership Conference, were recognized as an urgent call to action. In the ensuing months, the ACR has devoted tremendous resources to researching and developing a strategic and tactical plan for appropriately curbing self-referral practices.
The purpose of this letter is to assure you that the College is focused on this major issue. You will receive a comprehensive update at the 2004 annual meeting when ACR Executive Director Harvey L. Neiman, MD, speaks to the Council at the open issues forum. Self-referral is a large and politically charged topic, so no one solution will achieve the desired outcome. Rather, a multifaceted approach steadfastly applied over time is the key to success. Recognizing the need for such an approach, the ACR has placed emphasis on research, quality, legislative, regulatory and health plan-based initiatives.
In keeping with my former and current initiatives, the College has prepared an exhaustive white paper documenting all ramifications of self-referral. The Government Relations Commission, in a meeting in Reston on April 13, relied on the contents of this document to adopt further courses of action. To support our future actions with real data, the ACR has commissioned a major research study to investigate the determinants of imaging utilization and will add additional research staff to the ACR Research Department to facilitate completion of a study on trends in imaging utilization.
As the volume of imaging services has escalated, the associated high costs have captured the attention of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services, private payers and other government officials.
As the practice of self-referral is a major driver behind the increased volume and costs, the ACR will leverage the findings derived from the above noted initiatives to influence policymakers and private payers.
This will not be an easy battle to win, but it has been joined. I hope to see many of you at the AMCLC in May. If you have questions or concerns, please contact me.
Sincerely yours,
E. Stephen Amis, MD, FACR
Chairman, ACR Board of Chancellors