The Illinois ACC Chapter’s Practice Management Symposium is shoring up to be the best ever! It will be held tomorrow, Friday, May 16 at the University Club. Jack Lewin, CEO of the ACC, is excited to be the keynote speaker. He will discuss the future of healthcare. This year’s theme, “Survival Guide” targets crisis management for cardiologists, cardiovascular practice administrators, hospital administrators, payers and patients. Although on-line registration is closed, walk-in registration will be accepted. For more information, visit www.ilacc.org

Dress Code:
As set by the University Club House Rules, the Club's Dress Code is as follows: Weekdays: traditional business or business casual attire. Shorts, t-shirts, athletic shoes and denim are not permitted. Weekends: casual attire permitted.

Valet parking is available with the doorman at standard rates; Self parking is available at the following garages: Grant Park East Garage, located at Columbus Drive and Michigan Avenue, Grant Park North Garage located at Madison and Michigan Avenue.

The American College of Cardiology, MGMA Cardiovascular/Thoracic Surgery & Cardiology Assembly, and the Cardiology Advocacy Alliance invite you to participate in a 15-minute survey on the effect radiology benefit management (RBM) companies have had on your physician practice. The questionnaire will take you through the three domains: Effects on the Practice, Effects on the Patient, and Effects on Quality and Care. This survey is being performed in consultation with the ASE, ASNC, SCCT, SCMR, and HRS.

For more than two years, some third party health plans have required physicians to pre-notify and/or pre-authorize their diagnostic medical imaging procedures with RBMs such as American Imaging Management, CareCore, or MedSolutions. Additionally, RBMs are gaining interest among some policy markers who are considering proposing use of these companies for Medicare beneficiaries.

Your professional societies have prepared this survey to gather data on the effect of RBMs on patients and physicians. The results will be used to engage state and federal policy makers, Congress, and health plans.

Please visit this link to complete a survey.

Definitions:
Radiology Benefit Management (RBM) companies are usually contracted by health plans to administer utilization management services such as provider privileging, prior notification and prior authorization for radiology and imaging procedures.

Accreditation – an independent body evaluates the provider, facility, and equipment qualifications or standards of an imaging facility in accordance with pre-established criteria. Examples of accreditation bodies are the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission and American College of Radiology.

ISMS and the American Medical Association filed a joint amicus brief asking the Illinois Supreme Court to preserve Illinois patients' future access to medical care by upholding the state's 2005 medical lawsuit reform law.  
 
Also filed was a brief authored by former U.S. Solicitor General and legal scholar Theodore Olson on behalf of the physician defendants in the three underlying medical malpractice cases being used to challenge the law.  Other pro-reform briefs were also expected to be filed today.

No date has yet been set for oral arguments on the constitutionality of medical liability reforms.  As always, we will keep you posted with all updated information.To view relevant documents including a copy of the press release and links to the legal briefs, please click here.

Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois has sent its report cards for Illinois cardiology practices.  Be sure to check your mail to ensure that you received your documents (there were sent earlier this winter) and they accurately reflect your practices activities and statistics.

Please submit your recommendations to the Nominating Committee for the slate of Officers and Trustees for the ACC and ACCF, who will be elected at the Annual Business Meeting in March 2009 in Orlando. Officers and Trustees can serve in both organizations for the duration of their terms. Deadline for receipt of nominations is July 31.

Your recommendations are invited for the positions of Vice President, President-Elect and up to four ACC/ACCF Trustees. The Vice President will serve a one-year term and traditionally advances to the office of President-Elect. Each Trustee will serve a five-year term.

Please review the Guide for Submitting Nominations found on the Membership section of acc.org. The process for nominating a candidate, the job descriptions for Officers and Trustees, and the Conflict of Interest policy are included in this guide.

Contact Marthea Wilson, Associate Director of Committee Management, at (202) 375-6230 with your questions.

Please keep your eyes open for the upcoming ILACC Councilor Positions elections.  In addition this year, in conjunction with elections, a referendum will be distributed seeking your opinion on the recently added Practice Manager Board of Councilors position. Your vote counts!

Best regards,

Diane Wallis, M.D., FACC
Governor, Illinois Chapter of the ACC