New in this Issue

Radiation Oncology Program Accreditation Meeting: Registration Open; February 8-9, 2013; Dallas, Texas

AAPM Spring Clinical Meeting: March 16 - 19, 2013; Phoenix, Arizona

AAPM Website Updates

AAPM releases Adult Routine Chest CT Protocol Recommendations

AAPM Position Statement on Radiation Risks from Medical Imaging Procedures

Comments Requested AAPM Medical Physics Practice Guideline

ABR announces temporary acceptance of applications from medical physics students in non-CAMPEP-accredited educational programs

Congress

President Obama Eyes Six-Month Fiscal Cliff Deal; Lobbyists Say SGR Must Ride With It

intersocietal accreditation commission

IAC Releases 2012 Standards for Carotid Stenting Accreditation

medicare

Radiation Oncologists Pleased CMS Backed Down On Payment Cuts

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Meetings Calendar

Chapter Meetings: April 2013

Career Services & Committee Classifieds

Career Services Ads as of November 29, 2012

AAPM Committee Classifieds as of November 29, 2012

Congress

President Obama Eyes Six-Month Fiscal Cliff Deal; Lobbyists Say SGR Must Ride With It

President Obama recently told unions and corporate executives that he wants to reach a deal during the lame duck session that would postpone fiscal cliff measures for six months, negotiate offsets for that period, and agree to strike a grand bargain worth $4 trillion during the first half of the year. Those following the talks say a “physician payment fix” would likely be included in the deal as it would be difficult to separate the Sustainable Growth Rate (SGR) formula from the possibility of a grand fiscal bargain... [see full article]

intersocietal accreditation commission

IAC Releases 2012 Standards for Carotid Stenting Accreditation

November 15,2012; The Intersocietal Accreditation Commission (IAC) is pleased to announce the official release of the 2012 IAC Standards for Carotid Stenting Acccreditation. In continuing our efforts to further evolve the accreditation process, these newly formatted Standards provide enhanced clarity and consistency for applicant facilities. Select the following link to go to the IAC Carotid Stenting website to download the new Standards:

Download: IAC Standards for Carotid Stenting Accreditation

Standards are the minimum requirements to which an accredited facility is held accountable. The majority of the changes made to the Standards improve upon the organization and structure of the Standards as a whole. Minor revisions made to the Standards from the previous version are highlighted in yellow. Standards that are highlighted become effective on November 15, 2012. Faciliities applying for accreditation after November 15, 2012 must comply with these new Standards.

medicare

Radiation Oncologists Pleased CMS Backed Down On Payment Cuts

Groups representing the nation’s radiation oncologists praised the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for listening to their concerns and reducing proposed cuts to industry by more than half in the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MFPS) final rule. CMS had proposed a cut of 15 percent for radiation oncologists and 19 percent for freestanding cancer centers but mitigated the impact to 7 percent and 9 percent overall, respectively, in the final rule. The Radiation Therapy Alliance (RTA) says the cuts in the final rule equate to about $140 million in 2013, compared to the estimated $300 million hit in the proposed rule... [see full article]