California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger has put his signature on the first state law in the United States aimed at protecting patients from excessive radiation exposure received during CT scans and radiation therapy procedures. The measure will impose strict new procedures and reporting requirements to protect patients from medical radiation overdoses, effective July 1, 2012. The bill also provides an accreditation mandate for CT scanners that will take effect on Jan. 1, 2013. The bill requires that radiation dose be recorded on the scanned image and in a patient's health records and that radiation overdoses be reported to patients, treating physicians, and the state Department of Public Health. It requires the same level of monitoring for therapeutic radiation used to treat cancer.

From "California Governor Signs Medical Radiation Bill Into Law"
AuntMinnie.com (09/30/10) Barnes, Eric

The Registrar of Medical Schemes has confirmed the merger between Thebemed Medical Scheme and Suremed Health from 01 October 2010. Click below to read the article:

CMS Circ 49 - Thebemed & Suremed Amalgamate

In the latest issue of CMScript, the e-newsletter on prescribed minimum benefits or PMBs, they focus on designated service providers. Click below to read the article.

CMScript PMBs and DSPs article (115.18 kB 2010-09-29 05:16:11)

Attached, please find correspondence to RSSA members regarding Practice profiling by the funding industry.

Radiology__Managed_Care_Issues (319.57 kB)

Attached, please find the final list of those practices participating in the breast awareness campaign.

Thank you for your participation.

Breast Awareness Participation 2010 ver3 (54.01 kB 2010-09-23 06:32:47)

The Council for Medical Schemes (CMS) Annual Report 2009-2010 has been made available on the CMS website. To access it click the following link:

http://www.medicalschemes.com/publications/ZipPublications/Annual%20Reports/CMSAR2009_2010.pdf

AMALGAMATION OF MEDSHIELD & OXYGEN MEDICAL SCHEMES

The registrar for Medical Schemes has confirmed the merger between Medshield Medical Scheme and Oxygen Medical Scheme from 1 October 2010.

For details, please click here:

Amalgamation of Medshield & Oxygen Medical Schemes ( ) AMALGAMATION OF :

A radiology formulary has been applied as part of the scheme rules. This formulary aims to guide the practitioner as to the investigations funded by GEMS for these two options. It also provides information on the radiological investigations that require pre-authorisation.

Certain radiological investigations have been rejected for payment on the basis that no pre-authorisation was obtained. The majority of these rejections are due to additional views conducted for plain X-rays that would have required a pre-authorisation.

Only basic radiological investigations can be accommodated within the Sapphire and Beryl benefits. GEMS will fund additional views should they be clinically indicated but these tests are subject to pre-authorisation.

Please contact 0860 00 4367 for pre-authorisation. You will be asked to provide the membership number and the tariff code for the required investigation.

We will be working with the Radiological Society to review this formulary and explore ways to streamline the claims process in order to reduce rejections.

Attached herewith, please find the formulary for your perusal.

GEMS Beryl & Sapphire (45.5 kB)

Attached please find an official letter from Prof Lotz, Editor SAJR.

SAJR Letter - Sept 2010 (86.88 kB)

Attached, please find the ESR E-Newsletter Edition No. 12 August 26, 2010.

ESR Newsletter Aug 2010 (218.39 kB)