New York State Radiological Society

Karen Fountain, M.D., Chairperson

    The ACR national model policy on IMRT (intensity modulated radiation therapy) has been submitted as the state policy (LMRP) for CMS. Louis Potters, M.D., and Lance Hellman, M.D., the radiation oncology CAC representatives, are working with CMS to educate their staff about how brachytherapy procedures are performed, with special emphasis upon technical components and isotope reimbursement issues. Members with questions and comments regarding billing and coding are urged tc contact Dr .Potters via email at pottersl@mskcc.org.
    Dr .Potters is one of five candidates for three open positions in a contested election for the Council Steering Committee at the upcoming ACR annual meeting. The winners will serve for two years.
    Jay Bosworth, M.D., the radiation oncology member of the State Committee for Medical Physics, attended the first meeting of the newly formed committee on July 25, 2002, in Albany. The Committee was established by the State Education Department Office of the Professions to develop rules and regulations regarding the requirements and procedures for professional licensure of medical physicists practicing in New York State. The new law is to take effect in May 2003. Dr. Bosworth states that there will be provisions for limited permits to allow currently active medical physicists to practice until they meet the new criteria.
    New York City physicians recently received a mailing and pocket-sized bioterrorism rapid response card from the New York State Department of Health updating early recognition and reporting requirements for certain diseases that may be caused by bioterrorist agents. As diagnostic radiologists and radiation oncologists may be consulted for guidance regarding radiation risks or injuries, members are urged to consult the NYSRS and ACR websites for continuing updates to a radiological disaster preparedness primer. Click on the Disaster Preparedness button at the top of the ACR home page at www.acr.org to view this document.
    The ACR and the RSNA have announced a major redesign and content enhancement of their jointly sponsored patient education website which may be accessed at http://www.radiologyinfo.org.
    Applications for ACR Fellowship continue to be solicited by the Fellowship Committee for radiation oncologists and medical physicists. Members of the Committee will assist in the preparation of applications and submission of supporting letters of recommendation for candidates who meet the ACR criteria for Fellowship.