ACC Conference Call on PQRI Tuesday, May 8
On Tuesday, May 8, from 2 p.m. to 3:30 pm EDT, the American College of Cardiology (ACC) will host an interactive, Web-based conference call for ACC members and practice administrators on Medicare’s Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).  Presenters on the call will be Susan Nedza, M.D., M.B.A., F.A.C.E.P., Chief Medical Officer, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, and ACC members John Schaeffer, M.D., F.A.C.C., and Janet Wright, M.D., F.A.C.C. To register for the call, click here.

The ACC would also like to know if you are planning to participate in the PQRI in 2007. Having this information will ensure that you receive timely updates and other necessary information, and will allow the ACC to gather your feedback throughout the reporting period.  Please click here if your practice plans on participating in the PQRI.

For more information about PQRI participation or the Webinar, please contact the ACC Advocacy Department at PQRI@acc.org or call (800) 435-9203.

ACC-Supported HEART for Women Act Hearing This Week
The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health is holding a hearing on the HEART for Women Act (H.R. 1014).  Among those testifying is Sue Bennett, M.D., F.A.C.C., of the Women’s Heart Program at George Washington University Medical Center.

Support Increased Funding for Heart and Stroke Research
The Co-chairs of the Congressional Heart and Stroke Coalition, Senators Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) and Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) and Representatives Lois Capps (D-Calif.) and Chip Pickering (R-Miss.) are seeking signatures on a “Dear Colleague” letter to the chairs of the Appropriations Committees urging them to increase funding for heart disease and stroke research, prevention and treatment programs. ACC members are encouraged to ask their lawmakers to show their support by signing the letter. Senators can sign on by contacting Ben Klein in Senator Dorgan’s office at (202) 224-2551 or Eric Rasmussen in Senator Crapo’s office at (202) 224-6142. Representatives can sign on by contacting Amy Fisher (amy.fisher@mail.house.gov) in Representative Capps’ office or Mary Mills Ritchie (marymills.ritchie@mail.house.gov) in Representative Pickering’s office.

Join Your Colleagues for 2007 Legislative Conference
The 2007 Legislative Conference will be held Sept. 16 – 18 at the Fairmont Hotel in Washington, D.C.  Registration opens in a few weeks.  Stay tuned to www.acc.org for more information.

Senate ‘Access to Medicare Imaging Act’ to be Introduced this Week
The Senate version of the “Access to Medicare Imaging Act,” which would place a two-year moratorium on the Deficit Reduction Act cuts to Medicare imaging payments is expected to be introduced this week. Meanwhile, cosponsors are still needed for the House version of the bill, H.R. 1293. To view the legislation and a current list of cosponsors, go to: http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c110:H.R.1293: ACC members are encouraged to contact their members of Congress and ask that they co-sponsor H.R. 1293 by logging on to the CardioAdvocacy Network (CAN) website at www.acc.org/can.

Health Information Technology Bill Goes to Indiana Governor
The Indiana legislature has passed SB 551 establishing the Indiana health informatics corporation (IHIC) which is charged with facilitating the development of health information technology functions in the state. Under SB 0551 the IHIC must: (1) facilitate the development of a statewide health information exchange system; (2) encourage users of the statewide health information exchange system to develop and adopt standards; (3) develop programs and initiatives to promote and advance the exchange of health information; (4) recommend policies and legislation that advance the development and efficient operation of the statewide health information exchange system; and (5) report on Indiana's progress toward implementing the statewide health information exchange system. Gov. Daniels has until Thursday, May 3, to sign the bill.

Oklahoma Governor Vetoes Tort Reform Bill
Oklahoma Gov. Henry (D) has vetoed SB 507, a tort reform bill that would have capped non-economic damages at $300,000 in medical malpractice cases. Attorney General Drew Edmonson (D) had recommended a veto, and his opinion was a major influence upon the governor’s action. Gov. Henry said that he was committed to “balanced” tort reform legislation and said that he would work with legislators to achieve such a bill. However, he stated that the legislation which came to his desk contained unconstitutional provisions and did not meet the test of a “balanced” measure. SB 507 was strongly supported by the Oklahoma State Medical Association and the Oklahoma-ACC.

W.Va. Health Care Authority Continues to Develop CON Standards for CT
The West Virginia Health Care Authority (WHVCA) last week continued a series of meetings with stakeholders to develop standards to judge applications for new CT equipment. Scott Miller, M.D., F.A.C.C., along with ACC staff members, attended the meeting in Charleston.  John Hodgson, M.D., F.A.C.C., provided expert input via conference call.  Representatives from the hospital, private payer and industry communities, along with various medical specialties, participated in the meeting.  Discussion focused on the need to develop appropriate CON pathways for physicians and methodologies to identify need.  The stakeholder meetings will continue throughout the spring, with final CON rules expected in mid summer.

R.I. Imaging Accreditation Bill Approved by House Panel
The Rhode Island House Corporations Committee has approved HB 6033 which would add the Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) as an entity that can accredit magnetic resonance (MR) imaging laboratories. Under current Rhode Island law only MR diagnostic procedures done in laboratories accredited by bodies recognized by the state are eligible for reimbursement from private payers. HB 6033 has been placed on the House floor calendar and is expected to pass easily. The bill is strongly supported by the Rhode Island chapter of the ACC and the Rhode Island Medical Society. The Rhode Island Radiology Society does not object to HB 6033's passage.

CMS to Host Open Forum on Registries Use in PQRI 2008
Medicare will host a Special Open Door Forum on the use of registries for reporting data on quality measures to the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI).  The forum will take place 1 p.m. – 5 p.m., on Monday, May 14, in the CMS offices in Baltimore.  A toll-free number will be available for those who will participate by telephone.

The Tax Relief and Health Care Act (TRHCA) of 2006 gives CMS the authority to "address a mechanism whereby an eligible professional may provide data on quality measures through an appropriate medical registry (such as the Society of Thoracic Surgeons National Database)."  This Special Open Door Forum will build on the broad overview of the 2007 PQRI program presented on two recent national provider conference calls by giving providers and organizations that use or produce registries and other members of the public the opportunity to discuss the potential use of registries for reporting data on quality measures to PQRI.

In the coming weeks, the ACC will determine its role and participation in this Forum.  Stay tuned to www.acc.org for more information.

United Healthcare Relaunches its Prior-Notification ProgramIn new letters sent out at the beginning of March, United Healthcare reignited its nationwide diagnostic imaging prior-notification program. This program was delayed last fall after UHC received pressure from ACC and other national medical specialty societies over concerns with the implementation and notification process associated with this program.  The program is being rolled out to the entire nation in phases, including the following states this month:

May 7 - Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Iowa, Wisconsin and Illinois.

The final group of states (Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Rhode Island) is slated for a July 9 start, and has not yet received letters.  The prior notification program still exempts physicians who have received the UnitedHealth Premium® quality and efficiency of care designation. UHC has stated it has improved the process and system since the program was put on hold last fall.  To view its list of changes, FAQs and quick reference guide sent to physicians, access the UHC physician portal at: www.unitedhealthcareonline.com > clinician resources > clinically integrated networks > radiology notification.  If you have any questions please contact Mia Rosenberg, mrosenbe@acc.org.

ACC Position on the UnitedHealth Imaging Accreditation Program
The ACC has drafted a position statement on the recently announced UHC program requiring diagnostic imaging accreditation.  To view the statement, click here.