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"Where California Oncologists Go For Answers!"
A collaborative publication of the
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc.
and the
Association of Northern California Oncologists, Inc.
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This W
eekly's Hot Topics
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- Governor Brown has signed several bills affecting health care delivery (CaliforniaNews)
- USP has announced that will postpone the official date of General Chapter 800 (NationalNews)
- CMS will host its 2016 Annual QRURs Webcast on October 19 (CMSNews)
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California News
- Governor Brown has signed the following bills into law:
AB 658, that suspends the state's clinical laboratory license renewal fees for two years
, 2018 and 2019. The bill is a result of an audit that found that the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) had collected millions more in laboratory fees than it had spent operating the Laboratory Field Services (LFS) branch. The fund's current reserves exceed $22 million. Under existing state law, however, CDPH could not suspend or refund these fees. This bill only suspends renewal fees and will not apply to other fees like multiple site, personnel licensure, new lab or delinquency fees. Fees will be reinstated in 2020, but going forward CDPH will only be permitted to collect enough fees to operate its LFS branch, as spelled out in the current law.
Labs in California-including physician operated labs-should see significant savings over the next few years as licensing fees paid to the state are lowered after the freeze.
SB17, California's prescription drug price transparency law.
It requires pharmaceutical companies to give payers notice of major price increases on medications, allows lawmakers to review historical trends on drug costs to inform solutions, and provides the public access to basic information on what drives price hikes and drug spending.
AB1386, which provides patients with information relating to the breast cancer susceptibility gene (BRCA)
mutations in order to inform treatment decisions and increase genetic counseling and screening rates.
AB 265 - Bill to limit the use of co-pay cards/discounts
SB 790 - Bill to restrict "gifts and benefits" to healthcare providers/professionals
Bill ordered to inactive file, bill could be reintroduced in 2018.
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- Noridian/JEMAC has posted more updates to its website:
* MLN Connects
Announcements--New Medicare Card Web Updates; 2018 Medicare EHR Incentive Program Payment Adjustment Fact Sheet for Hospitals; Qualifying APM Participant Look-Up Tool; Hospice Quality Reporting Program: New and Updated Resources; SNF Quality Reporting Program: Quick Reference Guide
Claims, Pricers & Codes
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Events
--2016 Annual QRURs Webcast-October 19
Publications--
PQRS Call: Audio Recording and Transcript-New
* October Webinars-Register Now
* Chemotherapy Administration-R9
* MolDX: BCR-ABL; PreDx; Billing and Coding Guidelines
* ASP Medicare Part B Drug Pricing Files and Revisions to Prior Quarterly Pricing Files-January 2018 CR10320
- Forthcoming Noridian/JEMAC webinars:
* A/B MACs Team Up with DME MACs for External Breast Prostheses and Related Mastectomy Supplies (October 18)
* Radiation Oncology (October 18)
* New Patient versus Established Patient Visit (October 19)
* Top CERT Error-Avoiding Recoupment (October 19)
* Basic E and M Avoiding Common Errors (October 24)
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- DO NOT MISS the 2017 Clinical Staff, Administrator & Oncology Billing Programs, November 8th & 9th, from 8:30am to 12:30pm, atthe
DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Anaheim Resort - Convention Center. The program will highlightMACRA quality reporting scores and how not to miss your bonus through MIPS in 2019.
On Wednesday, November 8th
, the nurses, pharmacists, NPP's and clinical staff will learn more about Pharmacy Standards/USP Regulations; Immunotherapy and Targeted Therapy; Pain Management. Specifically,
Carcinogenesis and the Hallmarks of Cancer
presented by
Sandy Weyerhaeuser, MSN/ED, RN, OCN; and
Clinical Trials
presented by D. Beverly Fu, MBA, MSN, NP-C.
The Administrator's will hear Bobbi Buell discuss Benchmarking and Revenue Cycles, t
he Impact of Rising Healthcare Costs with Dawn Holcombe
and Systems Thinking Approach® to Strategic Management withLoren Tarantino, Global Partner, Haines Centre for Strategic Management, LLC, President, Loren Tarantino Consulting, Inc.
On Thursday, November 9th
, the Biller's will be presented A/R Billing Updates by Elaine Towle and Medi-Cal Fee for Service Appeals. For more information contact the MOASC office at moasc@moasc.org or 909-985-9061 x1.
Please note the date change for the ADMINISTRATOR'S program
is now Wednesday, November 8th. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause.
- MOASC Member, City of Hope will present The Fourth Annual Gayle Brinkenhoff Breast Cancer Symposium on Tuesday, November 14, 8 am to 4pm. Objectives are to: Describe recent developments in the diagnosis, classification and molecular biology of breast cancer; articulate the impact & role of targeted and personalized therapy in the treatment of breast cancer, and manage challenging diagnoses with the implementation of new technology and testing modalities. For more information: cme@coh.org or (626)218-5622.
- MOASC members who are in the area, are encouraged to attend a reception in honor of Assembly Member Mike Gipson on Tuesday, October 24th in Compton. CAPP is hosting the event and will be held at the Medical Offices of Dr. Toni Johnson Chavis (403 S. Long Beach Blvd., Compton, CA) from 5 p.m. - 7 p.m. There is no cost to attend and there will be no soliciting contributions at the event. RSVPs can be given to Tina de Vere White at 916.448.7992 x 3 or tdeverewhite@micra.org.
JOB BOARD:
- Oncology Practice Administrator- A multi-site medical group in West Ventura County is seeking an experienced practice administrator.
The ideal candidate must have work ethic, a proven effective leader, very strong in technology, revenue cycle, efficient operations, patient-centrist processes, interpersonal relations and overall business management. Candidate must have a bachelor's degree in business, health administration or related field. Qualified candidates may send resume to
employment@venturaoncology.com
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- Four seats on the ANCO Board of Directors are up for election in 2017
. ANCO seeks nominations for candidates for these seats. This year's election will be conducted via mail ballot in December. Candidates with the top four vote totals will serve for three years (i.e., 2018-2020, inclusive). Nominate an ANCO member (including yourself) to stand for election to the Board via e-mail/FAX to the ANCO office at execdir@anco-online.org/(415) 472-3961.
- Stanford Cancer Center's MDS Center is co-sponsoring the MDS Foundation's Educational Patient-Caregiver Forum on Saturday, October 28. The Forum takes place at 875 Blake Wilbur Drive, Room 2103, Stanford CA 94305 from 9:30AM through 2PM.
- ANCO will host the 4Q2017 Hematologic Malignancies Update on November 4 at the San Francisco Hyatt Regency
with Mehrdad Abedi, M.D., University of California, Davis, Sandy W. Wong, M.D., University of California, San Francisco, and Leena T. Rahman, M.D., University of California, San Francisco. The latest research on novel treatment modalities for hematologic malignancies, myeloma, and amyloidosis along with case studies for these diagnoses will be presented. This update is supported by Janssen Biotech, Merck, Pfizer Oncology, and Pharmacyclics. Download the meeting announcement and registration form at www.anco-online.org/4Q2017HemeMaligUpdate.pdf.
- ASCO member, David Gandara, MD, UC Davis, is chairing the one-day CME conference Best of WCLC 2017-San Francisco on November 11
following the 18th WCLC held in Yokohama Japan, October 15-18. The Eventbrite registration URL is https://www.eventbrite.com/e/best-of-the-18th-wclc-san-francisco-tickets-37865231928. ANCO members will receive complimentary registration when they register for an "Early Bird ANCO Member " ticket by October 20. For more information, please visit the Eventbrite website above.
- The 18th Multidisciplinary Management of Cancers: A Case-based Approach returns
to the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa on March 16-18, 2018. The meeting is sponsored by the Association of Northern California Oncologists, Stanford Cancer Institute, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, and UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Go to www.multicancers.org to register your interest in receiving registration and housing information when it becomes available in the Fall; download the meeting announcement/brochure at http://www.multicancers.org/documents/MMJ18026_FINALBROCHURE.pdf.
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- USP has announced that will postpone the official date of General Chapter 800 (i.e., USP800) to December 1, 2019. USP800 was originally schedule to become official on July 1, 2018. USP now plans to align the official date of USP800 with the release of a final version of USP797. However, some state and national enforcement agencies and other entities may require adherence to USP800 before its official implementation date.
- On October 3, 2017, the Food and Drug Administration
announced updates to three final guidance documents, including Form FDA 3926 and its instructions, to simplify Institutional Review Board (IRB) review requirements for physicians seeking to treat an individual patient with an investigational drug under expanded access. The updates allow for a waiver of the requirement for review and approval at a convened IRB meeting if the physician instead obtains concurrence by the IRB chairperson (or a designated IRB member) before treatment use begins. Learn More.
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Affiliate Association News
- ASH invites you to attend their presentation of, Improving MDS Outcomes from Diagnosis to Treatment: A Multidisciplinary Approach, November 8, 2017
at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel & Suites, Los Angeles.
This comprehensive, MDS-focused summit is a unique learning experience that encourages attendee interaction. Participants of this summit will actively engage in multidisciplinary small-group activities, including case-based tumor board discussions and four break-out sessions on:
Assessing low- or high-grade MDS; Acquiring of morphologic mimics; Applying the prognostic scoring system to cytogenetics; Identifying the new role of molecular testing.
Spread the word about this chance to improve MDS outcomes in your community through active learning for the entire care team! Learn More.
- ASH will host a webinar on MIPS and Reporting for MIPS on November 13 at 10AM. The webinar will provide a specialized MIPS reporting plan for hematologists. If you are interested in attending this webinar, then please e-mail Leslie Brady at lbrady@hematology.org.
- Year In Review
, moderated by Neil Love, M.D., is a multi-tumor regional symposia series focused on the application of emerging research information to the care of patients with common cancers, is scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 2
017 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, CA. To register go to www.ResearchToPractice.com/Meetings/YIR2017/CA.
- Save the Date for #COA2018
. The 2018 Community Oncology Conference is April 12-13 at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center, just outside of Washington DC. To learn more about the Community Oncology Conference, visit: http://www.coaconference.org/.
- The 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting, is scheduled for June 1-5, in Chicago, Illinois. This year's Presidential theme developed by Dr. Bruce Johnson is Delivering Discoveries: Expanding the Reach of Precision Medicine. Precision medicine is transforming cancer care in profound ways by driving the most exciting and powerful advances to improve how providers care for their patients. Bookmark
am.asco.org
and check back often for updates.
Other ASCO dates of interest:
October 25: Member Registration and Hotel Reservations Open
November 13: Abstract Submitter Opens
December 6: General Registration and Hotel Reservations Open
February 13, 2018, at 11:59 PM (EST): Abstract Submission Deadline
April 25, 2018, at 11:59 PM (EDT): Hotel Reservation and Early Registration Deadline.
- For the complete updated versions of the NCCN Guidelines, NCCN Guidelines with NCCN Evidence Blocks™, the NCCN Compendium®, the NCCN Biomarkers Compendium®, the NCCN Chemotherapy Order Templates (NCCN Templates®), the NCCN Radiation Therapy Compendium™, and the NCCN Imaging Appropriate Use Criteria (NCCN Imaging AUC™), please visit
NCCN.org. Recent updates include: basal cell skin cancers (V1.2018), bladder cancer (V5.2017), dermatofibrosarcoma protuberant (V1.2018), genetic/familial high-risk assessment: colorectal (V3.2017), hepatobiliary cancers (V4.2017), Merkel cell carcinoma (V1.2018), squamous cell skin cancer (V2.2018).
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- AMGEN has sent a safety notice to ASH as part of the Blincyto REMS to be shared with members about the serious risks of Blincyto including cytokine release syndrome, neurological toxicities, as well as preparation and administration errors. Go to http://www.blincytorems.com for details.
- AstraZeneca informs ANCO and MOASC that the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Tagrisso for the first-line treatment of patients with metastatic epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
- Janssen Oncology invites ANCO and MOASC members to MACRA and the Quality Payment Program-What Does This Mean for Oncology? with Thomas Marsland, M.D., St. Joseph Health System, on November 7 at 12:30PM. For more information, please visit
www.anco-online.org/MACRAWebcast.pdf
; to register, visit
www.medforcereg.net/SOMP119713
.
- On October 5, Pfizer unveiled enhanced offerings to help patients manage their life with cancer. Pfizer Oncology Together is a first-of-its-kind program for patients taking Pfizer Oncology medicines that offers dedicated social workers called 'Care Champions' to help navigate the complexities that accompany treatment, such as identifying resources to help find emotional support, and workplace transition, transportation and financial assistance. For cancer patients taking a Pfizer Oncology medicine, please visit www.PfizerOncologyTogether.com.
This is Living with Cancer™
, is another Pfizer program that provides tools and resources to support those who have been affected by cancer, including a mobile app, LivingWith, designed to help manage some of the daily challenges faced by people living with cancer. For more information about the program and to find out more about LivingWith, visit www.ThisIsLivingWithCancer.com
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MOASC CALENDAR
Professional Educational Series
November 8-9
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(San Francisco, Nov. 4)
(San Francisco, February 8-10)
(San Francisco, January 25-27)
(San Francisco, February 8-10)
(Napa, March 16-18)
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The
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California
(MOASC) is a leading oncology society that advances and protects the ability of cancer patients to obtain, and the ability of the oncology physicians to provide, optimal cancer care. The
Association of Northern California Oncologists
(ANCO) is an association of hematologists/oncologists dedicated to promoting high professional standards of cancer care by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, data, and knowledge.
The material contained in the
California Oncology Weekly
is intended as general information for ANCO and MOASC members. Because diagnostic, treatment, contracting, coding, and billing decisions should be made on a case-by-case basis, any such information contained in the
California Oncology Weekly
may not apply in any given situation. Members are encouraged to contact their own consultants or advisors to obtain specific advice on matters relating to contracting, coding, and billing. The information contained in
California Oncology Weekly
should not be used as a substitute for such advice.
This publication provides a summary of regulations affecting oncology and its business practices. Reading this newsletter does not substitute for understanding regulations and verifying the validity of every claim. This information is time-sensitive and is subject to change. MOASC or ANCO accepts no liability for any statements or articles herein.
CPT codes are owned and trademarked by the American Medical Association. All Rights Reserved.
MOASC: P.O. Box 161, Upland, CA 91785 | P (909) 985-9061 | F (909) 804-5006| www.moasc.org
ANCO: P.O. Box 151109, San Rafael, CA 94915 | P (415) 472-3960 | F (415) 472-3961 | www.anco-online.org
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