Dr. Stewart’s interactions with the OMA’s Relativity Advisory Committee (RAC) were filled with repeated delays:

  • June 20/18 – OMA Board released their “Relativity Update”
  • Oct 4/18 – Adam Stewart releases a memo that uncovers and summarizes flaws in the Board-approved changes changes to CANDI that affect family medicine.
  • Oct 19/18 – George Marusic emails Dr. Adam Stewart and says the RAC will be addressing his concerns at their next meeting on Nov 11/18.
  • Nov 11/18 – Dr. Adam Stewart sends email addressed to OMA Board, CEO, Negotiations, and Economics asking for direction. He specifically asks for what type of data would be useful and accepted.
  • Nov 11/18 – Dr. Jim Wright replies that RAC is aware of the concerns but states they are “not relevant until Phase 2 that will be held April at earliest.”
  • Nov 13/18 – Jasmin Kantarevic replies via email and confirmed RAC met Nov 11thand “will be sending a letter to you shortly, indicating that they are willing to work with the Section on this issue.”
  • Nov 21/18 – Dr. Adam Stewart sends email to RAC Co-Chairs Dr. Gaind and Dr. Papp asking if we couple please receive RAC’s reply before heading into Council meetings at the end of the week.
  • Nov 22/18 – Dr. Papp replies that “We have a response letter but I just wanted to make sure it was clear. I am hoping to send today.” [Of note: this letter did not end up getting sent until Jan 2nd, 2019].
  • Nov 25/18 – Dr. Adam Stewart emails Dr. Papp, Dr. Jim Wright, and Jasmin Kantarevic asking for a telemeeting to discuss what types of data SGFP should pursue and be accepted by RAC.
  • Nov 25/18 – Dr. Papp replies that “I would suggest you submit your data with as much explanation as possible” and the RAC will review it. “Once reviewed, we could decide if we have you come in to meet us.”
  • Dec 7/18 – in an email from Dr. Jim Wright, he writes “The RAC is aware of your concerns and your issues will be addressed in due course” and “I would reassure you that decisions about relativity are not relevant until Phase 2 of arbitration that won’t start until the spring of 2019.”
  • Dec 17/18 – Dr. Adam Stewart submits a cover letter and official 31-page appeal to Board, RAC, and CEO.
  • Jan 2/19 – RAC sends official reply to Dr. Adam Stewart stating they are upholding the Board’s changes to CANDI. It is unclear, though, if RAC is replying to Adam’s memo from October or the official appeal submitted Dec 17th.
  • Jan 2/19 – Dr. Adam Stewart emails the RAC to clarify if RAC is replying to his Oct 2018 memo or his Dec 17th official appeal.
  • Jan 8/19 – No one had yet replied to Dr. Adam Stewart’s Jan 2ndquestion, so he again emailed the RAC for clarity.
  • Jan 8/19 – Dr. Jim Wright replies “There is no immediate urgency as any change to CANDI scores will not affect years 1 and 2 of PSA. The deadline for any changes to CANDI rankings is several months from now at the beginning of phase 2 arbitration for years 3 and 4 of PSA.” [Note: there is confusion as to what is being asked here. We are, at minimum, just asking the RAC for their official reply, which would be expected to include rationale and insight into what types of data are useful to pursue].
  • Jan 8/19 – Dr. Papp replied, “We are aware of letter but came after our last meeting. I have nothing to add at this point. It will be on agenda but I am not sure where just yet. we have many items. We can get back to you once we review.”
  • Jan 8/19 – Dr. Jim Wright and Dr. Adam Stewart spoke on phone to clarify confusion. It was clarified that the RAC’s Jan 2ndletter was replying to Dr. Stewart’s concerns from Oct 2018 and that the RAC was yet to officially reply to his official appeal dated Dec 17/18.
  • Feb 15/19 – George Marusic emails Dr. Adam Stewart the official reply from the RAC. It is a brief 2-paragraph reply simply stating that the RAC declines SGFP’s appeal.
  • Mar 5/19 – Dr. Adam Stewart emailed George Marusic and the RAC asking for more detail on the decision-making criteria so as to aid SGFP in future direction.
  • Mar 13/19 – Jasmin Kantarevic replies that RAC meets Mar 20th and will discuss.
  • Apr 3/19 – not having received any reply still, Dr. Adam Stewart emails Jasmin Kantarevic and RAC to follow up, asking for their reply.
  • Apr 3/19 – Jasmin Kantarevic replies and confirms RAC met March 20thand “will be sending their letter shortly, and in any case, no later than the end of this week(the RAC meets this Friday)”.
  • Apr 23/19 – Still not having received any reply from the RAC, Dr. Adam Stewart emailed the RAC again to remind them he is still awaiting feedback.
  • Apr 23/19 – Dr. Gaind (Co-Chair of RAC) replied that the RAC is “waiting for further clarification from the Board on some key issues prior to responding.” President Dr. Nadia Alam also replied that “There will be a President’s Update this week that will explain it.”
  • Apr 25/19 – OMA emails an update on Relativity that includes Family Medicine’s score going higher (worse). Still none of the correspondence addresses Dr. Adam Stewart’s questions to the RAC asking for the specific rationale as to why they have denied SGFP’s request dating back to Dec 17th, 2019.
  • Apr 25/19 – what is more, in follow up email Jasmin Kantarevic confirmed that the OMA is now using revised numbers for Family Medicine number of days worked based on updating billing information, thus proving it is thus possible for the RAC and Board to amend the numbers of concern for number of annual days worked, but they are refusing to do so.
  • May 1/19 – RAC sends final reply to Dr. Stewart:
  • May 1/19 – Dr. Stewart sends reply back to RAC, Board, and CEO: