1 May 2003

For questions and responses contact:
Kelly Foster

ACR Office of Council and Chapter Services

1891 Preston White Drive
Reston VA  20191
Phone: 800.227.5463, ext. 4917
Email: kellyf@acr.org

ACR Web site: www.acr.org

ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE – Scroll down for the complete articles.

·         What is the ACR Chapter Executive Update?

·         ACR Publishes Guide for Chapter Leaders on Developing a Radiology Advisory Guide

·         Fellowship Nomination Deadline Extended

·         Please Help Contact Members Who Have Not Paid Their 2003 Dues

·         New Managed Care Discussion Forum

·         37% of ACR Chapters Have Officer Terms Ending This Month

·         News From the Chapters

What is the ACR Chapter Executive Update?

Spring is officer changing season for many ACR chapters, making this a good time to welcome new readers.  The ACR Chapter Executive Update is a bi-monthly, electronic publication for chapter officers and chapter administrators.  It is a timely way to share information about ACR events and deadlines.  It is also a venue to share information about chapter activities.  Your comments and suggestions are always welcome.

ACR Publishes Guide for Chapter Leaders on Developing a Radiology Advisory Committee

In keeping with its mission to help members educate and improve communications with payers, the ACR Managed Care Committee (MCC) has produced a guide titled Developing a Radiology Advisory Committee.  This comprehensive document is drawn from the collective experience of MCC members who have successfully established such advisory committees and should be a “must read” for chapter leaders and all members who would like to have more influence with their local payers.  This document will be permanently posted on the ACR Web site in the economics section.  CLICK HERE for a direct link.

Fellowship Nomination Deadline Extended

As noted in last week’s issue of the ACR E-News, the deadline for making Fellowship nominations for the 2004 convocation has been extended to 16 May. 

Information about the Fellowship nomination process is available on the ACR Web site in the Members Only section.  CLICK HERE for a direct link.  You may also contact Pete Guldseth at either peteg@acr.org or at 800.347.7748 for more information.

Please Help Contact Members Who Have Not Paid Their 2003 Dues

Recently chapter presidents, vice presidents, president-elects, secretaries or secretary/treasurers and chapter executive staff received information about members who have not yet paid their ACR/chapter dues for 2003. 

At last year's ACR State Chapter Leaders’ Meeting, many chapter leaders requested that prior to sending the 30-day notice to delinquent members, the ACR provide each chapter a list of their members who still owed dues.  This gives each chapter an opportunity to contact their members and make a final retention pitch.

With that goal in mind, the ACR membership department sent:

·         a list of members who have not paid their 2003 dues, including verified business and home phone numbers,

·         a document explaining how to maximize use of the list of these members, and

·         a suggested script for you to follow in making phone calls/sending emails/sending letters.

If you have questions about the information sent please contact Barbara Quattrone at either barbaraq@acr.org or 800.347.7748.

New Managed Care Discussion Forum

As members continue to confront a multitude of issues with non-Medicare payers, the ACR Managed Care Committee (MCC) has recognized the need for a means of open discussion of those issues. As such, a new discussion forum has been created on the ACR Web site.  CLICK HERE for a direct link. 

This forum is currently available to all ACR members and is intended for discussion of all non-Medicare payer issues such as; claims processing, timely reimbursement, coverage policies, communication with payers, contracting difficulties, utilization management, etc. Such discussion should create a centralized cache of information from a wide geographic base and should allow members to learn of potential new problems as well as solutions to existing problems that they might otherwise not know. Members of the MCC will also monitor and contribute to the discussion and will identify issues of common concern which can be addressed directly by the committee.

37% of ACR Chapters Have Officer Terms Ending This Month

Spring time is officer changing season.  Below is a list of twenty chapters who, according to ACR records, have officers with terms ending this month.  If your chapter is one of these and you have not done so already, please submit either via post (see address above), fax (703.262.9319) or email (chapters@acr.org) your new officer roster. 

Don’t forget!  All councilors with terms ending in 2003 and all alternate councilors terms end this month as well.  Following the ACR Annual Meeting and Chapter Leadership Conference, you will receive detailed information about your councilor and alternate councilor position vacancies.

NEWS FROM THE CHAPTERS

Oklahoma Radiological Society Launches New Web Site

The Oklahoma Radiological Society recently launched a new Web site, www.okradsociety.org.

2003 ACR Annual Meeting and Chapter Leadership Conference Information Box

When: 10-15 May 2003

Where:  Hilton Washington & Towers in Washington, D.C.

Upcoming Deadlines

·         16 May 2003 – Deadline for submitting Fellowship nominations for the 2004 convocation