News

• Charlotte Henningsen: SDMS President's Blog

  "What is the purpose for this blog? I have been on the SDMS Board of Directors for the last six years, and feel especially honored to be able to serve as President of the Society. So I want to share my two-year journey with you. I will use this blog to share my trips, meetings, and photos. I also hope that you will use this blog to share some of your journey as well. I want to know what is going on in your community of sonographers; what are your issues; and are you finding ways to actively engage in our profession? I am passionate about our profession and consider it not only my job and career, but also my hobby. I hope that you will share your passion for sonography with me!"

  Go to SDMS President's Blog

• GRAND OPENING: SDMS Online Store

  SDMS members and non-members are now able to shop for SDMS products online. Shop our new online store by going to www.sdms.org/store, or by clicking on the “Products” link on our homepage.

  Browse through CME and exam review materials, sonography pride items, and Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month promotional products, and then place an order right from your computer! Plus, SDMS members receive a discount on all items.

  As a special GRAND OPENING offer, all orders placed online in October will receive FREE standard shipping! Just enter the promotional code FREESHIP during checkout.

  So what are you waiting for? START SHOPPING!

• SDMS OPPOSES PROPOSED GOVERNMENT CUTS TO ECHOCARDIOGRAPHY REIMBURSEMENT

  The SDMS has gone on-record opposing a series proposed cuts to echocardiography reimbursement by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS is proposing cuts to echo code reimbursement of 42%; a figure that is in addition to previous cuts of 30%. The letter that SDMS filed, on behalf of its membership, can be accessed on the Society’s website at: http://www.sdms.org/pdf/CMSEchoLetter082409.pdf. SDMS has raised concern about the implications to patient care should these cuts be implemented. These concerns include:

  • Increasing the costs to Medicare for imaging services
  • Reducing the access to Medicare recipients
  • Reducing the quality of patient care

  If implemented, these cuts are projected to have a direct effect on sonographers who are currently providing echocardiography services, particularly those who are employed in physician offices. One of the projected outcomes, should these proposed cuts be implemented, will be to funnel patients into alternative imaging modalities such as MR, CT, and angiography. These alternative imaging procedures are more invasive and more expensive than traditional echocardiography exams, and the alternative imaging options have higher rates of adverse risks.

  SDMS remains committed to providing high quality patient care, and to support the role of sonographers in the delivery of diagnostic medical sonography.

• Oregon Governor Signs Sonographer Licensure Legislation

  On July 28, 2009, Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski signed a sonographer licensure bill (HB 2245) into law. The new law makes Oregon only the second state in the United States to require licensure of sonographers. SDMS has worked closely with other sonography-related organizations and Oregon sonographers to help craft the language in new law. The law renames and restructures the Oregon Board of Radiologic Technologists to the Oregon Board of Medical Imaging (OBMI) and ensures representation of sonographers on the Board.

  The sonographer licensure law requires Oregon sonographers to become licensed by OBMI effective July 1, 2010. Beginning on January 1, 2014, all sonography licensees would be required to hold a national sonography certification/credential (or be currently enrolled as a student). While the Oregon bill is far more detailed than the sonographer licensure law that passed in New Mexico earlier this year, additional administrative rules/regulations will be developed over the next year to fully implement the new law. SDMS will be continue to monitor developments regarding sonographer licensure in other states. If you are aware of licensure efforts, please be sure to let SDMS know by contacting Don Kerns at dkerns@sdms.org.

• 2009 Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month – New Products and Promotion Guide Now Available!

  Every October, SDMS and other sonography organizations join together to promote Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month to increase the public’s knowledge about sonography. This year’s new Sonography - the sound of healthcare products will help you promote sonography awareness in your workplace and community!

  SDMS has also prepared a promotion kit to help you get started spreading the word about your profession! It's filled with ideas for promoting Medical Ultrasound Awareness Month and educating the public on your role in the delivery of healthcare. [more...]

• New Mexico Sonographer Licensure Law Signed: On April 6, 2009, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson signed the historic bill that, for the first time in the United States, requires licensure of sonographers. The bill adds sonographers (and MRI technologists) to the list of medical imaging professionals licensed by the State of New Mexico. [more...]
• SDMS Webinar Series: All webinars available to SDMS members. [more...]
• Changing Your Name, Email address, or mailing address?
  Members can submit an online change request to update your SDMS membership record. If your name has recently changed or you have a new email or mailing address, please submit an online change request.
• SDMS Sound News: Don't miss the latest issue of our monthly email newsletter. [more...]