Oct. 2, 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.

·         Planning Chapter-Related Programming for the 2004 AMCLC

·         Contribute to the Development of the Future Leaders in Radiology, Nominate a Resident

·         Please Help Update the Roster of Managed Care Network Liaisons

·         CMS Regional Offices Sponsor Meetings to Evaluate the Local Medicare Process

Planning Chapter-Related Programming for the 2004 AMCLC

Based on feedback from chapter leaders and administrators who participated in the 2003 ACR Annual Meeting and Chapter Leadership Conference (AMCLC), the Office of Council and Chapter Services is considering ways to improve chapter-related programming during the 2004 AMCLC, to be held May 8-13. 

We are considering the possibility of offering two separate 90 minute long educational sessions on Sat., May 8 instead of holding the traditional 60 minute Chapter Executive Director and Executive Secretary meeting typically held on Sun.  The two sessions on Sat. would be appropriate for both chapter executive staff as well as chapter leaders.  We are still considering the content for these two sessions, but, based on feedback from last year’s meeting topics may include: new officer orientation, membership marketing to members in-training or strengthening grassroots advocacy initiative.

Please help us plan programming that is meaningful to you by letting us know the following: 

·         Would you be interested and available to participate in these sessions on Sat., May 8 scheduled between 12:00pm-5:00pm?

·         What topics would be of the most interest to you?

You may send your comments to Kelly Foster via email (kellyf@acr.org), via fax (703.262.9319) or via phone (800.227.5463, ext. 4917).

Contribute to the Development of the Future Leaders in Radiology, Nominate a Resident

Chapter leaders have the opportunity to nominate members in-training (residents and fellows) for the chance to attend the Intersociety Summer Conference in July 2004.  The ACR College Nominating Committee will collect these nominations through Dec. 31, 2003.  The nominating committee will select four candidates as finalists.  During the 2004 ACR Annual Meeting and Chapter Leadership Conference, the council will elect two of these four candidates and pay for them to participate in the 2004 summer conference.  The council passed resolution #28 in 2003 to encourage members in-training to get involved and learn more about organized radiology by creating this opportunity. 

To find out more about making these and other nominations CLICK HERE or contact Mary Jane Donahue at maryjaned@acr.org or 800.227.5463, ext. 4902.

Please Help Update the Roster of Managed Care Network Liaisons

The ACR Managed Care Committee needs your help!  Three years ago, the Economics and Health Policy Department worked with each ACR Chapter president to select an ACR member to serve as their state’s Managed Care Network Liaison (MCNL).

We are reviewing our records to confirm they are current, and are developing a Radiation Oncology Managed Care Network. Chapter presidents will receive a letter and “fax back sheet” asking you to confirm and/or appoint representatives to the network. Please complete the “fax back sheet” and return to 703.648.9837 by Monday, Oct. 13. Direct any questions to Angela Stanley at angelas@acr.org or 800.227.5463, ext. 4560.

CMS Regional Offices Sponsor Meetings to Evaluate the Local Medicare Process

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is sponsoring meetings in various regional offices this fall to evaluate the current Carrier Advisory Committee (CAC) and local Medicare processes.  We understand CMS has no intention of eliminating the CAC process.  They are holding these regional meetings to examine, through an open discussion format, the CAC and local medical review processes and ways of improving them.  The ACR is encouraging its CAC members to attend the meetings and also wants to assure chapter leaders are aware of these meetings.

The ACR supports the CAC process and is a leader in communication and coordination of these efforts across the country.  As such, ACR staff and CAC process advisors developed a list of “talking points” to assist people who attend any of the meetings this fall in making comments in support of the CAC process.  If you would like a copy of these talking points or if you have any questions regarding these meetings or any other CAC related issues, please contact Kathryn Keysor at kathrynk@acr.org or 800.227.5463, ext. 4950.

The meeting schedule is as follows:

Northeast meeting – Sept. 16-17 in Philadelphia, PA

Midwest meeting – Oct. 7-8 in Chicago, IL

West meeting – Oct. 16-17 in San Francisco, CA

South meeting – Oct. 28-29 in Atlanta, GA