Co-Sponsorship Invitation

Dear Dr. Colleague:

Thank you for your interest in the AANS CME program. AANS developed a CME policy, that went into effect as of January 1, 2005, that has undergone considerable expansion and is designed to meet the needs of AANS members. This policy includes a category of endorsed and co-sponsored CME programs that is acceptable for AMA PRA Category 1 CME Credit(s),^TM toward the membership requirement of AANS.

This category of endorsed / co-sponsored CME assists AANS members in not only achieving the CME requirements for AANS membership, but also assists in satisfying the Maintenance of Certification [MOC] requirements of the American Board of Neurological Surgery [ABNS]. It allows members attending accredited annual meetings of other allied organizations to receive CME credit through the endorsed / co-sponsored application process.

Through this application process, meetings eligible for AANS endorsement / co-sponsorship must meet the following criteria:

• The program must have meaningful neurosurgical input in the planning stage.
• The program is of importance for neurosurgeons.
• The program already has ACCME accreditation.
• The program is not sponsored by a commercial entity.

Annual meetings fulfilling the above criteria will be eligible for CME Category 1 neurosurgical credit that is acceptable for the membership requirement of AANS through the endorsed / co-sponsored CME program. All accredited providers of CME need to complete the enclosed application with a nominal $150 fee to have their meetings reviewed for endorsement by the AANS. This review by the AANS Maintenance of Certification Committee [MOC²] will be less comprehensive and less costly than a jointly sponsored program.

It is important to note the distinction between CME offerings that meet AANS membership requirements and CME offerings that meet ABNS MOC requirements may not be identical. It is also important to note that ultimate discretionary power regarding ABNS Maintenance of Certification CME approval rests with the ABNS.

[Please Note: Non-ACCME accredited providers of CME requesting neurosurgeons to apply their CME credits for AANS membership requirements would need to apply to the AANS for joint sponsorship status.]

The timeline for a decision on your application may be up to 45 days. Please submit 4-6 months ahead of your meeting. If you have questions or need further clarification of the application, please contact Shannon Lyde, Education Coordinator, at 847.378.0507 or by email sld@aans.org

Sincerely,