President's Message
February 2010
Dear NYSVS members:
We had a successful annual fall meeting at the Griffis Faculty at Weill-Cornell Medical Center on October 27, 2009. The meeting was well attended with both members and guests. Following dinner there was a discussion of several issues of importance.
There appears to be an automatic rejection by Medicare if two or more tests are ordered on the same patient on the same day. (It may be that one of the tests has to be a carotid duplex to trigger this rejection.) Several members commented on this problem. There was a discussion of whether there should be Society action on this problem but no immediate action was taken. A decision was made to discuss this with Dr. Roddy at Albany Medical Center, since he is knowledgeable in this area. We have been in discussion with him. The problem appears to be continuing in one form or another. Just yesterday I was informed by one of our members of a carotid testing that was not accepted by Medicare for payment despite the fact that the patient was being followed with known disease. The rejection stated that the denial occurred because the patient had no symptoms!
There was a discussion of the importance of the SVS-PAC. With the health care bill pending, there was a discussion as to whether the NYSVS could contribute as a society to the national SVS-PAC. Subsequently I contacted the national society and was informed that, as a society, we were unable to contribute to the SVS-PAC but that all our members should be encouraged to contribute to this national society PAC that supports our interests nationally.
We discussed the recruitment of new members for NYSVS, which is encouraged and supported.
Most importantly, it was announced that we were going to insist on a policy on dues payment by our members. There will be a warning for non-payment of dues and then consideration of loss of membership in the society. We must keep the society solvent, especially since it is becoming more difficult for corporate sponsors to support educational activities.
The highlight of the evening was the presentation of six interesting cases from multiple institutions around the metropolitan area. Each case was followed by discussion. We all benefit, learning from these unusual situations – even when the presenter is courageous enough to discuss less than perfect results!
But these meetings are more than just learning opportunities. As specialties go, vascular surgery is a specialty small in numbers, and these meetings give us an opportunity to get to know ALL our fellow vascular surgeons throughout the area. It engenders a sense of camaraderie. It also allows us all to meet the up and coming next generation of surgeons. All are encouraged to bring residents and fellows to the meetings.
Attend the meetings, submit presentations, sponsor new members, and pay your dues!
The Executive Council of our society will be meeting on February 22, 2010 to plan the spring meeting. If you have important issues or new ideas for the society, please bring them to my attention or to the attention of the Executive Council.
We are looking forward to seeing you all at the spring meeting.
Sincerely,
Michael Silane M.D., F.A.C.S.
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