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News -> November, 1999 News
As we enter a new year with the American Rhinologic Society, there are
many noteworthy things in the offing. We have had a very good Scientific
Meeting just before the AAO-HNS meeting in New Orleans and Charles
Gross, M.D. has assumed the Presidency of the organization. The
Socioeconomic Committee with Joe Jacobs, M.D. as Chairman has been
working on the problem of reimbursement for postoperative debridement
(CPT code 31237). They are working on a letter with our Attorney,
outlining the Academy's and HCFA's position on this code and the zero
global days associated with endoscopic sinus surgery.
The Long-Range Planning Committee met before the ARS Board meeting and
outlined four primary areas in which they felt the Society should focus
its attention. These are as follows:
- Socioeconomic issues
- Rhinologic Research
- Public relations and liaison with the Academy to better coordinate
the Academy's initiatives in the area of Rhinology
- Education
These were reported to the Board for consideration and will be the subject
of the Long-Range Planning Committee in the spring.
As Chairman also of the Academy's Terminology and CPT Coding Committee
and Representative to the AMA CPT Advisory Committee, I am pleased to
report that the AMA CPT Editorial Panel approved an editorial change in
CPT Code 61795, which has been incorporated into the new CPT book for
2000. The code descriptor now reads "Stereotactic Computer Assisted
Volumetric (Navigational) Procedure; intracranial, extracranial or
spine." Consequently, this code may now be used for spine, skull
base and sinus applications. This is the result of a cooperative
effort with our Neurosurgical and Orthopedic colleagues. Considerable
credit goes to Dr. Sam Hassenbach, the Neurological representative
from Houston, who has now been elevated from the Advisory Committee
to the Editorial Panel.
Our new web site is up and running thanks to Dr. Martin Citardi of
Saint Louis University. Soon you will be able to submit abstracts
for scientific meetings over the Internet, register for our meetings
online and a host of other things.
Speaking of abstracts, abstract time is at hand for COSM, which will
be held at the Orlando World Center Marriott in Florida this May, 2000.
The form is included in this issue thanks to our Newsletter Editor,
Dr. Osguthorpe. I will remind you that the quality of the meetings
is dependent upon the number and quality of abstracts which you submit.
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