Guidelines for Joint Sponsorship
Joint sponsorship involves the planning and presentation of CME activities in partnership with non-accredited providers.
The jointly sponsored activity must be planned and presented in accordance with the mission of SSVMS/CSERF’s CME Program. SSVMS/CSERF must be able to document that the activity was planned and presented in compliance with the IMQ/CMA CME Standards. In order to acceptably do so, the accredited sponsor must enter the joint sponsorship arrangement prior to the printing and dissemination of promotional materials containing registration information for the activity. The non-accredited educational provider agrees to comply with the Essential Areas and Elements and Standards for Commercial Support of the IMQ/CMA and ACCME, and the policies of the SSVMS/CSERF CME Program.
Use of the SSVMS/CSERF Application for Credit form will provide all of the information necessary to be in compliance with the IMQ/CMA Standards. A copy of this completed application must be reviewed and approved by the CME Committee prior to entering into a joint sponsorship, and must be included in the activity file.
A commercial interest, defined as any proprietary entity producing health care goods or services, with the exception of non-profit or government organizations and non-health care related companies, cannot take the role of non-accredited partner in a joint sponsorship relationship.
The SSVMS/CSERF CME Program, an IMQ/CMA accredited provider, will jointly sponsor CME for physicians locally in order to improve the health of patients and benefit all physicians through diverse educational opportunities, develop institutional relationships, increase recognition of programs and capabilities locally and statewide.
A sponsorship fee as designated by the CME Program may be determined upon review of the course budget to cover the administrative costs of the activity. Additional time and material expenses incurred by the CME department requested by the non-accredited partner in a joint sponsorship shall separate from the joint sponsorship fee and the reimbursement of will be determined and agreed upon prior to the activity by both parties.
All activity expenses are the responsibility of the organization seeking joint sponsorship. Evidence of a proposed neutral budget is to be completed before expenses are incurred.
All aspects of commercial support should be disclosed prior to approval of the activity. The Office of CME will administer commercial support. At the discretion of the CME Program, the non-accredited provider may administer funds related to the management of the conference, but must document in detail and provide to the SSVMS/CSERF CME Program all expenditures and sources of funds.
A course coordinator should be designated by the non-accredited organization to manage the administrative details.
In order to assure program quality, adherence to commercial support requirements and appropriate registration procedures a representative of the SSVMS/CSERF CME Program staff member or designated representative must attend at least the primary registration day of the conference at the expense of the activity including all travel-related expenses. In some cases, the staff member or representative may be required to attend and monitor the entire duration of the activity.
Attendance information should be submitted to the Office of CME within 2 weeks of the activity in order to provide timely distribution of CME certificates.