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E-News: April 2006
For questions and responses contact:
ACR Resident and Fellow Section
1891 Preston White Dr
Reston, VA 20191
Phone: (800) 227-5463, ext 4998
E-mail: rfs@acr.org
ARTICLES IN THIS ISSUE
Current Topics:
- ACR Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. – Your Chance to Get Involved!
- Update on Imaging Cuts Included in the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA)
- ACR Chairman to Host Web cast on the Deficit Reduction Act
- Check out New Features on the Resident and Fellow Section Web site
- Deadline Extended for Moorefield Fellowship Applications
- Deadline Approaches for J.T. Rutherford Fellowship Applications
- 2006 AMCLC Information
ACR Annual Meeting in Washington, D.C. – Your Chance to Get Involved!
Every year hundreds of radiologists, radiation oncologists,
interventional radiologists, medical physicists and radiology residents
and fellows descend upon Washington for the ACR Annual Meeting and
Chapter Leadership Conference (AMCLC). During the meeting ACR policy is
created, individuals lobby on Capitol Hill and ACR members and leaders
meet with those who are involved in making a difference in the
specialty. The ACR Resident and Fellow Section meets in conjunction with
the AMCLC. The RFS meeting gives individuals training in radiology and
radiation oncology an opportunity to address common concerns about
training, learn about the issues affecting the specialty and their
future, and to become involved with the ACR. If you haven’t been
to a meeting we invite you to come and see what it is all about. If you
are returning, we look forward to seeing you again. The registration
deadline is April 19. For more information visit the ACR Web site.
Update on Imaging Cuts Included in the Deficit Reduction Act (DRA)
Although the ACR was pleased and supportive along with other specialty
groups regarding the freeze (albeit temporary) on the 4.5% physician
reimbursement cuts that were scheduled to take effect this year, there
was equal disapproval and protest regarding the last minute slashing of
technical component fees to offset the loss of monies from the freeze in
cuts. While the freeze in cuts benefits physicians across the board, the
cuts in technical components single out radiologists. The DRA
arbitrarily capped the technical component reimbursement for physician
office imaging to the lesser of the Hospital Outpatient Prospective
Payment System (HOPPS) or Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS)
payment. The financial impact of such a move was grossly underestimated
by the Congressional Budget Office, which estimated that the cuts will
reduce reimbursement for imaging services by $2.8 billion over five
years. However, preliminary ACR analysis reveals that $6 billion over
five years is a more appropriate figure, and these cuts are going to
affect primarily radiologists. Josh Cooper of the ACR Government
Relations office called the DRA imaging cuts "bad policy,"
stating, "the disproportionate cuts threaten to restrict patient
access to care, particularly in rural areas, and may discourage research
and development of new technologies which could benefit patients."
James P. Borgstede, MD, Chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors, shares
this sentiment and encourages all ACR members to write or call their
Congress members to voice their concerns. For more information, visit
the Deficit Reduction Act section
of the ACR Web site.
ACR Chairman to Host Web cast on the Deficit Reduction Act
James P. Borgstede, MD, chair of the ACR Board of Chancellors, will
brief ACR members on the Medicare imaging reimbursement cuts contained
in the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005, and other factors which may affect
imaging reimbursement, during the ACR's first live, members-only webcast
on Monday, April 17. Members will learn how and why the imaging
provisions were included in the legislation and the ACR's actions to
counter these arbitrary cuts and other regulatory actions which may
affect radiology. The 30-minute presentation will be followed by a
question-and-answer session. You can now submit questions at webcast_questions@acr.org or
ask questions live during the Q&A session to follow Borgstede's
presentation by calling (800) 227-2427. Please visit the DRA Web site on April 17 to access the
webcast and for the latest information regarding the Deficit Reduction
Act and ACR efforts to counter drastic Medicare imaging reimbursement
cuts.
Check out New Features on the Resident and Fellow Section Web site
If you haven’t checked out the new face of the ACR Resident and
Fellow Section, now is the time! From the unique database designed to
help you find housing for your six-week hiatus to AFIP to the daily
imaging case from Case in Point, there is a wealth of knowledge
available to you in one convenient location. Complete with discussion
forums and a section devoted to life after residency you will find
everything you need now and for your future. And for those of you
feeling the pressure of boards around the corner, check out the learning center. Visit the Web site designed by residents for
residents.
Deadline Extended for Moorefield Fellowship Applications
The ACR Department of Economics and Health Policy is now accepting
applications from third- and fourth-year residents and fellows for the
Moorefield fellowship. The James M. Moorefield fellowship provides a
radiology resident or fellow direct exposure to, and hands-on experience
with, the functions of the ACR Department of Economics and Health Policy
and the Commission on Economics within the ACR. The department is
responsible for all ACR activities involving the reimbursement and
health policy issues that affect radiologists, radiation oncologists and
medical physicists.The deadline for submission of applications is May 1,
2006; the final decision will be made in late May. For more information
or a copy of the application visit
the RFS
Web site. You may also contact Evelyn Gilbert at (800) 227-5463,
ext. 4774, or at egilbert@acr.org.
Deadline Approaches for J.T. Rutherford Fellowship Applications
The J. T. Rutherford Government Relations Fellowship, named in honor of
the ACR's first legislative consultant, was founded in 1993 to provide
radiology residents direct personal exposure to the ACR's government
relations activities. This fellowship allows residents to gain an
understanding of the state and federal legislative and regulatory
processes and the ACR's role in these matters. It also informs residents
about the governmental factors that play important roles in shaping the
future of radiology. This one-week program includes a historical
background on the ACR's congressional activities and exposure to the
ACR's government relations initiatives and their relationship to the
other activities conducted by the College. Applications for
the Rutherford Fellowship must be postmarked by May 15, 2006. For more
information visit the RFS Web
site or contact Melody Ballesteros at (800) 227-5463, ext. 4547, or
at mballesteros@acr.org.
2006 AMCLC Information
When: May 20-25, 2006
Where: Hilton Washington in Washington, DC
The program for the 2006 RFS meeting can be found on the RFS Web site.
Upcoming Deadlines and Milestones:
- April 19, 2006 - Meeting registration deadline and hotel registration deadline
- May 1, 2006 – Deadline for submitting ACR fellowship nominations for the 2007 convocation.
Past E-News
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