Summary of
MINUTES
CANS Board of Directors Meeting
Saturday, May 4 2002,
Sheraton Gateway Hotel, Los Angeles, California
1. Pain Medicine
The San Diego Academy of Neurological Surgeons has asked CANS to reconsider
its position (stated January 10, 2002 in a letter to NHIC) that the American
Academy of Pain Medicine (AAPM) can represent CANS in issues related to pain
management at the NHIC Medicare Carrier Advisory Committee (CAC). A letter of
clarification will be drafted and sent to NHIC with a copy to the San Diego
Academy of Neurological Surgeons. The letter will state that CANS recognizes
that Pain Medicine is a relatively new specialty encompassing a broad area in
which many neurosurgeons do not consider themselves authorities. CANS will
continue to represent the interests of its members who manage pain disorders
within the scope of their neurosurgical practice. CANS believes, however, that
of the various groups under consideration for membership in the CAC, the AAPM/CAPM
is the only legitimate voice to represent the various disciplines that have an
interest in pain medicine. CANS will reserve the right to seek additional
representation in pain management in the event that subspecialty groups are
granted representation on the CAC.
2. AANS Nominations
Nominations to various positions within the American Association of Neurological
Surgeons (AANS) are due by September 1, 2002. The Board voted to submit the
names of the following candidates: Dr. Shuer for Director-at-Large; Dr. Volker
Sonntag of Arizona for President-Elect; and Dr. Koenig for the Nominating
Committee.
3. Secretary’s Report/Membership Report
Active membership was approved for Griffith Harsh, MD, Renatta Osterdock, MD and
Fernando Silva, MD. Senior status was granted to John Runnels, MD, Ronald
Shallat, MD, William Lewis, MD and Stanley Goodman, MD.
4. Treasurer's Report
Treasury is in sound shape and efforts continue to collect dues with some
members delinquent for two years. According to itemized financial reports
listing all income and expenses for the January Annual Meeting, CANS lost about
$5000.00. The Saturday session made no money as speakers’ expenses were high,
the Compliance course was not well-attended and there was a meeting space
penalty charge due to CANS’ failure to meet contracted sleeping room block.
Both the QME course and the Coding/Reimbursement course were a bit more
financially successful.
5. 2003 Annual Meeting
Dr. James reviewed the 2002 program evaluations received from the meeting
attendees and asked the Board for recommendations for the 2003 Program. The
Board agreed that he CANS program should focus strictly on socio-economic topics
to keep in line with the original intent of the organization. Besides providing
a Workers Comp/QME course and a Pain Medicine (CME) course, the following topics
were suggested:
Dr. Shuer formed a sub-committee to finalize the socio-economic program for
January: Drs. Bonner, Zusman, Wade and Rodriguez.
6. Newsletter
Dr. Bonner, CANS’ editor, reported that the Executive Office is beginning
to receive responses to the newsletter survey asking members if they want to
continue receiving the newsletter and in what format:paper copy by mail or
electronically. After a significant number of surveys is returned, the Board
will determine the future of the newsletter. The fall issue of the CANS
newsletter will be used as a marketing tool for the Annual Meeting and will
feature highlights of the program.
7. Website
There were some suggested enhancements to the CANS website, i.e., bulletin board
for neurosurgical positions; ad space for vendors; links to other organizations.
There will be no action taken until Dr. Shuer, President, and Dr. Smith, website
coordinator, explore these items further.
8. Workers’ Compensation
Dr. Lippe reported to the group that the IMC now has a new Executive Medical
Director, Dr. Susan McKenzie. Her former position of Deputy Medical Director is
now open and anyone interested can apply for this position which must be
appointed by the Governor. The conversion of the Official Medical Fee Schedule (OMFS)
to a resource-based methodology is in progress. The CMA has asked the
specialties to review ground rules for their specialties so that CMA can forward
this information to the IMC. Ground rules come from four sources: CPT (Current
Procedural Terminology), CCI (Correct Coding Initiative), CMS (Center for
Medicare and Medicaid Services) and the OMFS. The medical specialties will have
an opportunity to review these during the IMC public policy period.
9. Blue Shield Meeting
Dr. Neil Martin (UCLA) has written a position statement on Carotid and
Cerebral Angioplasty and Stenting for Atherosclerosis, Stroke and Vasospasm
which was approved by the Board for presentation to Blue Shield at their June
12, 2002 Medical Policy Committee on Quality and Technology.
10.
Carrier Advisory Committee/NHIC
Dr. Rodriguez attended the April 17,
2002 Medicare CAC meeting and reported that NHIC agreed with CANS' public
comments about deep brain stimulation; however, NHIC did not agree with CANS’ recommendation
to change the wording in the percutaneous vertebroplasty. NHIC’s statement will
remain: "Percutaneous vertebroplasty is a minimally invasive interventional
radiological procedure. "Since this meeting, NHIC has informed Dr. Lippe
that at the appropriate opportunity, the wording will be changed to read, "Percutaneous
vertebroplasty a minimally invasive surgical
procedure done under radiological guidance."
11. CMA
House of Delegates
Dr. Prolo attended the March House of
Delegates meeting as CANS Specialty Society delegate. His meeting summary is
available in the spring issue of the CANS newsletter.
12. Legislation/AB1921 BioTerrorism CME
CANS sent a letter of opposition to this bill that would require mandatory
continuing medical education for disaster management training.
13. Legislation/AB2763 Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy/Scientific Advisory Panel
The CANS/CMA Council of Scientific Affairs (CSA) was asked to comment on
Hyberbaric Oxygen Therapy. This is an informational item only as the members of
this committee have reported that there is no scientific evidence that this
treatment is of value to the management of children with brain injuries.
14.
American Board of Spinal Surgery (ABSS)
The Medical Board of California will meet May 10 to discuss the application of
the American Board of Spinal Surgery (ABSS). At this time, the Medical Board
will review CANS opposition letter of July 2, 2001.
15. Next Board Meeting
The fall Board of Directors meeting will be held in San Jose in September
(date and location to be determined).
JMT