Lance Hellman, M.D., Chairman

1) The Radiation Oncology Committee is requesting a grant from the ACR to produce brochures designed to encourage students to consider careers as Radiation Therapists. There is a state wide and national shortage of technologists that is threatening quality of care and, in some cases, the viability of providing community needs. Several schools exist in N.Y. There is successful precedent for this request. A written proposal is being prepared for submission to the NYSRS.

2) Consideration is being given to have a legal review of State law and Medicare policies regarding the scope of medical coverage required in both free-standing and hospital based practices. Some solo radiation oncologists in small rural practices are being forced to consider closing departments to allow for vacation given the costs and variable quality associated with Locum coverage.

3) The Primer for Disaster Preparedness with specifics re: the role of Radiation Oncologists is available through links on the ACR.org web page.

4) CME update—The American Brachytherapy Society is having a HDR/GYN Brachy School in N.Y.C. between May 4-6 2003. Call 703-234-4078 for more information.

5) ACR Appropriateness Standards Criteria are currently available for printing or PDA download on the following subjects: Bone Metastasis, CNS Cancer, Breast Cancer, Hodgkin’s Disease, Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer and G.I. Cancers. These include updated literature reviews and treatment policies. Links available through ACR web page. http://www.acr.org


6) Carrier Advisory Committee Updates :

    • Radiosurgery policy—the original policy only included 69xx neurosurgical codes. There was no linkage between ICD-9 benign disease (i.e. AVM’s) and indications for radiosurgery. A national LMRP (local medical review policy) has been written and submitted.

    • CAC Chairman Nomination—Dr. Art J. Segal was nominated with our support.

    • DCIS and Squamous cell carcinoma in situ had not been linked with external beam policies. A comment letter has been submitted.

    • A CAC session will be held at the national meeting in Washington D.C.

7) Discussions between ASTRO and the ACR continue to develop future ties and relationships.

8) HIPPA compliance facts, slide presentations and links are available at ACR.org

9) Dr. Louis Potters is running a position on the ACR Counsel Steering Committee with our support.

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Respectfully submitted.

Lance Hellman, Chair