Board
of Directors Meeting of January 19, 2001
Hotel Del Coronado, San Diego
The
following were present:
Board of Directors: Drs. Abou-Samra,
Bonner, Caton, Chehrazi, Edwards, Hoyt, Hunstock, Kenefick,
Meredith, Rich, Robert, Shuer, Wade,
Rodriguez and Robbins.
Consultants/Committee Chairs: Drs. Dyck,
Florin, Koenig, Kusske, Lippe, Prolo,
R. Smith and Tolchin.
Guests:
Drs. Douglas Enoch, Stewart Dunsker (AANS President), Jay Levy,
Steven Giannotta (ABNS President)
Recruitment Brochure
Dr. James reported that the CANS’ recruitment brochure
outlining members’ benefits has been completed and is ready
for distribution. CAP-MPT has agreed to pay the costs
(approximately $900.00) of printing the CANS membership brochure
in exchange for ad space on the back of the brochure.
ACN/CANS
Executive Meeting
Dr. James asked the Board to consider how the meeting
income and expenses should be shared with the Association of
California Neurologists (ACN).
A motion was made and seconded to divide
revenues/expenses based on percentage of registration.
This appeared to be the simplest manner due to the
various courses held in conjunction with the general session,
which resulted in varying fee structures for members and
non-members. Motion
carried.
Malpractice
Insurance
Dr. Caton feels that the Committee should continue to
pursue various companies for discounted rates on services.
CAP-MPT has been consistently responsive to CANS about
being the malpractice provider for members. Their rates are
lower than most other; they are an insurance trust; not totally
an insurance company. The Board felt it does not want to
officially endorse anyone; however, a letter should go to
members with information about CAP-MPT.
A motion was made and seconded that the Chair of the
Member Services Committee will address a letter to CANS members
and other neurosurgeons with a copy of the CAP-MPT letter and
request their opinion as to whether they would be interested in
joining CAP-MPT. Motion carried. Dr. Caton will pursue with CAP-MPT.
Dr. Caton will make sure the Board approves whatever
letter is sent. The
Member Services Committee should put together a package of
benefits for all new members.
Executive Office Report
Ms. Tash, executive secretary, reported that office space
has been expanded, the new furniture approved last year is in
place, making for a much more efficient work environment.
She presented the 2001 Board roster and Dr. Hoyt
introduced new Board members Dr. Jose Rodriguez (finishing the
term of Dr. Abou-Samra), and Dr. Michael Robbins.
Secretary’s
Report
Dr. Edwards presented the membership report and asked the
Board to approve two new applicants: Kamram Sahrakar,
M.D., Sacramento, and Scott Wacchorst, M.D., Mountain
View.Several suggestions were made to increase recruitment:
1. University Faculty/Military/Kaiser
These groups need to be more
effectively targeted for membership. They have different issues
than private practitioners in that they may not be as concerned
with insurance, reimbursement, and salaries.
However, they should benefit from the activities of CANS.
It was suggested to offer them an incentive to join, i.e.
group discounts on annual dues or waive initiation fee.
2. New Private Practitioners
A
better effort needs to be made to identify new neurosurgeons
beginning practice in California. Sources of this information
should be the CMA and the Medical Board.
3. Residents Completing Programs
Training
programs at each institution with a residency program should be
contacted for forwarding addresses of recent graduates. The
executive secretary will pursue this issue.
Treasurer's Report /2000 Dues
Dr. Rich presented the 2001 budget which is balanced
pending receipt of overdue membership dues and some anticipated
profit from the current meeting. Dues collection and declining
membership remains an ongoing problem that is significantly
impacting the treasury. Dr.
Rich reported that almost half of CANS membership is now
comprised of senior members. There was some question raised that
the lifetime membership dues of $500 is not actuarially sound.
Costs containment is important this year while efforts must
continue to collect dues. Dr.
Abou-Samra, our new Treasurer, will investigate ways to improve
interest rates on reserves.
Dr. Lippe reported
that the IMC/Workers Compensation/QME is in a constant state of
flux. Specialty codes are still an issue and the RBRVS fee schedule
is still not done since the vendor has still not been selected.
It will be about 18-24 months before it is in place.
Dr. Lippe does not foresee a reduction in fees; however,
fee allocations may change. Governor Davis has made no
appointments to the IMC, which now has 6 vacancies.
American Board of Spinal Surgery
There is a new American Board of Spinal
Surgery that has applied to the Medical Board of California for
recognition; however, the application was denied. Dr. Lippe
asked the Board if it should take a position on this issue
because a revised application is sure to be submitted. It was
suggested that CANS contact the MBC and ask to be kept abreast
of this issue since it was potentially an important one for CANS
members with ABNS certification.
Dr. James and
Ms.Tash had visited the Newport Beach area last fall to find an
appropriate site for the 2003 meeting.
Proposals were received from the Sutton Place and from
the Radisson. The
Hyatt, the Marriott and the Four Seasons were also approached
but they were not interested in the program.
It was agreed that the Sutton Place contract should be
signed.
Communications
Committee
1.
Website
Dr. Smith reported that the website is up and running. He
suggested that the CANS website, which is currently an underused
resource, has the potential for being a patient friendly website
because there really isn’t one that reads in simple fashion
for patients. It was felt that he should continue to publish
information on specific conditions for patients searching for
this type of information. An “Ask a Neurosurgeon” option
listing a CANS member willing to answer specific inquiries from
patients is under consideration.
Dr. Tolchin cautioned that CANS might need legal advice
regarding physician responses and liability. It was felt,
however, that this work should continue.
Dr. Smith will follow up on a link to the AANS website
for topics we don’t cover.
It is not known at this time how many “hits” are
received on the website and who specifically is using it.
Dr. Robert mentioned there is software that can track
number of hits and where the hits are coming from (cookies) but
this could be expensive.
It was suggested that CANS should consider selling ad
space to help sponsor the website.
Dr. Robert suggested that it is important to have a
counting system so that a sponsor will know the number of hits
and would then be more apt to buy ad space.
It is also important to understand how a search engine
searches use key words and to make the site more “visible”
to those search engines.
2. Newsletter
A
suggestion was made to decrease number of paper copies of the
newsletter and produce more electronic newsletters. Dr. Bonner,
Newsletter Editor, recommended that CANS continue issuing paper
copy because not all members have Internet access.
A motion was made and seconded that the bylaws be amended
to state that the newsletter will be published at least
biannually. Motion carried.
CAPP
(Californians Allied for Patient Protection)
Dr. Koenig said there will be no threat to MICRA for at
least a couple of years because trial lawyers have backed off.
He recommended that we continue to send money to CAPP. After
some discussion, it was moved that we retain the money that has
been collected in the past for this purpose and if future events
warrant we will have funds at the ready. Motion
carried.
Emergency
Care
Dr. Edwards
summarized a recent conference call with CMA’s committee on
Medi-Cal Rate Increase Planning. The committee hoped to come up
with methodology to increase rates to 80% of Medicare rates.
It was agreed that the best approach would be to ask for
increases for all specialists who provide emergency care.
Next
Board Meeting – May 5, 2001 Los Angeles Airport; hotel to
be determined
(Summary compiled by R. Smith whose
accuracy could be questioned.)