 |
|
|
|
HEADLINES |
IMPORTANT DATES AND DEADLINES |
July 21: Critical Limb Ischemia Webinar (see below)
September: Legs For Life national screening month for vascular disease (see below)
September 12–16: 40th Annual Western Angiographic and Interventional Society Conference, Lanai City, Lanai, Hawaii
October 8: Leaders in Innovation Award nominations due
October 12: 2011 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting abstract submission deadline (5:00 p.m. EDT)
October 24–28: Catheter Lysis of Thromboembolic Stroke (CLOTS) Meeting, Dallas, Texas
November 15: SIR Foundation Dr. Gary J. Becker Young Investigator Award, Resident/Fellow Research Award and Dr. Constantin Cope Medical Student Research Award nominations due
December 14: SIR Foundation Allied Scientist Grant, Academic Transition Grant, Dr. Ernest J. Ring Academic Development Grant and Pilot Research Grant applications due
2011
March 26–31: 2011 SIR Annual Scientific Meeting, Chicago, Ill.
HEADLINES |
CMS Defers July 6 Deadline for Mandatory Medicare Enrollment
In early May, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued an interim final rule informing physicians who provide care to Medicare enrollees that they must enroll in the CMS Provider Enrollment, Chain and Ownership System (PECOS) by July 6 to be paid by CMS. Under requirements of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, physicians must complete a two-page certification form
if they order lab tests, drugs, prosthetics, orthotics, imaging studies or home health services or make specialist referrals for Medicare enrollees.
In May, SIR joined the American Medical Association in a letter to CMS requesting that it reconsider this requirement or at least allow additional time for providers to comply with registration.
On June 30, CMS issued a press release deferring this planned action. In this press release, CMS announced that it has decided not to reject any claims beginning July 6, it will take a more thoughtful approach as it fully considers all comments received in response to the interim final rule, and is implementing a contingency plan for those who are working toward enrollment by the deadline but are not yet enrolled.
SIR still recommends that all providers who provide care for Medicare beneficiaries take prompt steps to ensure their enrollment in the PECOS system.
Sustainable Growth Rate Update
On June 25, President Obama signed into law HR 3962, “The Preservation of Access to Care for Medicare Beneficiaries and Pension Relief Act of 2010,” which provides a 2.2 percent Medicare physician payment update through November 2010 and prevents the 21 percent payment cut scheduled to have taken effect on June 1. This payment patch is considerably shorter than the 19-month sustainable growth rate fix previously passed in the House on May 28, which called for payment updates of 2.2 percent for the remainder of 2010 and 1 percent for 2011.
It is expected that CMS will reprocess all claims made on or after June 1, retroactively reversing the 21 percent payment cut for claims already processed without physicians having to resubmit them. Physician payment cuts are expected to be around 33 percent in 2012 without further congressional action.
Request to Share Clinical Experience to Fight Vertebroplasty Noncoverage Draft Local Coverage Determination From Noridian/Medicare; Sample Letters Provided
Noridian Administrative Services is Medicare’s contractor for Alaska, Arizona, Montana, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. Noridian has issued a draft local coverage determination that would deny reimbursement for vertebroplasty and kyphoplasty. In general, Noridian cites a lack of clinical data that the procedures are effective, as well as concerns about misuse of the procedures and inappropriate patient selection.
The full draft local coverage determination is currently available on the Medicare Coverage Database site for public review. Comments are due by Sept. 6.
SIR will submit formal comments on the draft before the Sept. 6 deadline. The Society encourages all members who are concerned about this possible local coverage determination to assist in our response by sharing with SIR any clinical data you might have on these procedures, including patient outcomes, selection criteria, pain scores, etc. The Society feels strongly that our response to the draft local coverage determination needs to be informed by our members, as you are in the best position to provide specific evidence about the type of evidence-based data that will be needed to reverse the draft local coverage determination.
Message from SIR president: If you wish to share your clinical experience, SIR has a template letter for a physician’s response here.
Also, SIR believes that patient experiences tell an important part of the clinical story. If you have patients who might be willing to share their case, a template for a patient letter may be accessed here.
Please consider supporting SIR’s effort by providing your practice data and patient stories. The Society needs your help to help all of us.
Recent Actions in Response to July 1 NCCI Edit: 37204/77776–77778
As of July 1, CMS will be implementing a National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) edit to bundle CPT codes 37204 (transcatheter occlusion or embolization for tumor destruction, percutaneous) with 77776–77778 (interstitial radiation source application).
During the past several months, SIR’s economics leaders have been actively working to address these edits. In March, SIR, supported by the American College of Radiology, submitted a comment letter in opposition to this edit. However, CMS responded that they believe that CPT codes 77776–77778 represent a “misuse of codes” and stated that these codes should be used to report application of a radiation source into
interstitial tissues, not infusion of radioactive particles into the bloodstream through a blood vessel. Therefore, as of July 1, a code edit will be implemented and CPT codes 37204 and 77778 will not be allowed to be reported by the same physician
on the same day for the same beneficiary. SIR’s economics leaders are continuing to work with CMS and NCCI to clarify the coding problem behind the coding edit and will provide members with additional information and guidance on coding
for these procedures.
Fellowship Match Update
June 23 was match day for vascular and interventional radiology fellowship programs for the 2011 appointment year. SIR is excited to report that, of the 84 programs enrolled with the National Resident Match Program, 59 filled. Of the 216 certified positions in the match, 179 were filled. This year, 83 percent of the positions were filled compared to 69 percent in 2009—an amazing 20 percent increase.
PAD Coalition Announces Congressional Resolution to Increase PAD Awareness
On June 15, Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-Minn.) introduced a congressional resolution
to increase awareness of peripheral arterial disease (PAD) and improve the care of patients with
PAD. According to the PAD Coalition, of which SIR is a member, the resolution urges federal agencies such as the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, the Centers for Disease Control and the National Institutes of Health to work to address
the burden of PAD. Once the nonbinding resolution has 218 cosponsors, it can be approved by the
entire House of Representatives. On its Web site, the coalition states that, although a congressional resolution does not have the force of law, it can
be a valuable tool in its efforts to address the burden of PAD. First, it provides
an excellent opportunity to educate elected officials and their staff
about the condition. Second, it provides an excellent opportunity to
engage with federal agencies named in the resolution and work collaboratively
to address this problem. Finally, it provides a great tool to mobilize
patient and medical professionals.
Promote Your Practice With 2010 Legs For Life®
 |
September is SIR’s Legs For Life® national screening month for vascular disease. This well-known national education and PAD, AAA and venous/carotid disease screening program offers an opportunity to educate the public, primary care physicians and the medical community; to identify at-risk patients; and to strengthen collaborative relationships among health care professionals who treat these conditions. Register today.
Legs For Life® is an online-based program for SIR members only. Once registered, a site representative will gain access (via username and password) to customizable, downloadable PDFs of necessary forms and related materials. Purchased kits with already-printed forms are no longer available. |
SIR Membership Dues: 2010–2011
Renewal
It’s time to renew your SIR membership. To renew your membership for the
2010–2011 year and continue taking advantage of the benefits that your
Society membership brings you, click here. Note that you will need to know your
five-digit SIR login and password. For more information, contact Membership@SIRweb.org.
EDUCATION |
Critical Limb Ischemia Webinar
Wednesday, July 21, 8–9:30 p.m. EDT
This online educational program
provides the latest information on comprehensive clinical management of critical
limb ischemia (CLI). PAD experts from across the United States explain the medical
workup of the patient with CLI, endovascular management of CLI and emerging
technologies for treating CLI. Attendees can interact live with faculty through
Q&A discussions and, after the event, will receive free online access to
the recorded program.
After participating in this activity, learners should be able to:
• Describe the medical workup of the patient with critical limb ischemia
• Explain endovascular management of critical limb ischemia
• Identify new emerging technologies for treating critical limb ischemia
The Society of Interventional Radiology is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians. The Society of Interventional Radiology designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.50 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. Paid registrants are eligible to receive credit. Additional participants at your site who wish to receive CME for attending this event may be included in your registration for $10 each. Call (703) 691-1805, ext. 579, to register additional attendees for CME credit.
Coordinator
Sanjay Misra, MD, associate professor of radiology, Mayo Clinic & Foundation,
Rochester, Minn.
Faculty
Mahmood K. Razavi, MD, director of clinical trials and research center, St.
Joseph Vascular Institute, Orange, Calif.
Thom W. Rooke, MD, professor of medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.
Bret N. Wiechmann, MD, Vascular & Interventional Physicians, Gainesville,
Fla.
Registration Rates
SIR members, $99
Nonmembers, $199
Registration includes one site license; have as many people attend that can fit in your conference room or log in from the comfort of your home or office. All you need to participate is a computer with high-speed Internet access and a phone. Registration also includes free online access to the recorded program after the event.
If you have any questions, please email Jackie Cochran McCombs, eLearning program manager, at jcochran@SIRweb.org or phone (703) 691-1805, ext. 597. Register online at www.SIRweb.org/webinars.
SIR to Offer Second Catheter
Lysis of Thromboembolic Stroke (CLOTS) Course
SIR will present the second Catheter Lysis of Thromboembolic Stroke (CLOTS) course Oct. 24–28 in Dallas, Texas. This five-day didactic course—designed
with lectures, panel discussions, teaching files, case scenarios and hands-on
interaction with flow models—is intended for physicians with ACGME training
and experience in the fundamentals of neuroimaging, catheter-directed cerebral
angiography and subselective peripheral or neuroendovascular catheter-directed
therapy who seek to incorporate acute ischemic stroke care into their practice
and/or upgrade their knowledge and skill base. This course has proved useful
for even the most well-trained specialists, including interventional radiologists,
neurointerventionalists, vascular neurologists and should be particularly useful for fellows-in-training. This
course will also be useful for nurses and technologists who desire to increase
their knowledge concerning the fundamentals of stroke and emergency stroke therapy.
For more information, please visit the Education section of the SIR Web site, email Melek Avsar, SIR education assistant, at melek@SIRweb.org or call (703) 691-1805.
SIR FOUNDATION |
2011 SIR Foundation Research
Award Nomination Deadlines
October 8, 2010
Leaders in Innovation Award
November 15, 2010
Dr. Gary J. Becker Young Investigator Award
Resident/Fellow Research Award*
Dr. Constantin Cope Medical Student Research Award*
*To be eligible to apply for this award, SIR 2011 Annual Scientific Meeting abstracts must be submitted by October 12, 2010, 5:00 p.m. EDT.
For more information regarding these awards and the application process, click here.
IR STORE |
IR Store Summer Book Sale—Save up to 43%
Save up to 40% Off Regular Prices on Select Products; Syllabi Available for Only $99
In celebration of the summer season, SIR offers deep discounts on select titles. Take advantage of the huge savings and place your order today. This offer is valid until August 31 on orders placed through the IR Store.
Click here for a full list of sale titles.
Select Titles in 2010 SIR Summer Book Sale |
|
 |
General and Vascular Ultrasound (Case Review Series), Second Edition |
 |
Primer of Diagnostic Imaging (With CD-ROM), Fourth Edition |
 |
MRI From Picture to Proton, Second Edition |
 |
Clinical Emergency Radiology |
 |
Venous Interventions, Second Edition |
 |
Interventions in Oncology |
 |
2010 Annual Scientific Meeting Workshop Book and CD-ROM |
QUOTE OF THE MONTH |
Great things are not something accidental, but must certainly be willed.
—Vincent van Gogh