|
California Oncology Weekly
"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.
|
|
|
|
California News
- Effective January 27, 2017, OEHHA is adding Pertuzumab and Vismodegib to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity, for purposes of Proposition 65.The Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) is adding Pertuzumab (CAS No. 380610-27-5) to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity (developmental endpoint), and Vismodegib (CAS No. 879085-55-9) to the list of chemicals known to the state to cause reproductive toxicity (developmental, female and male endpoints), for purposes of Proposition 65. As provided under Proposition 65, the listing of pertuzumab and vismodegib is based on a formal requirement by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that the chemicals be identified or labeled as causing reproductive toxicity. Pertuzumab has been identified or labeled to communicate a risk of reproductive harm (developmental endpoint) in accordance with formal FDA requirements. Vismodegib has been identified or labeled to communicate a risk of reproductive harm (developmental, female, and male endpoints) in accordance with formal FDA requirements. Regulations governing the listing of chemicals under the "formally required to be labeled or identified" mechanism are published in Title 27, California Code of Regulations, section 25902.
-
The California Medical Association Board of Trustees Actions on Q1 Council
resolutions are archived here. California physicians' input was used to inform the Councils and Subcommittees, which met and developed recommendations. Those recommendations went before the CMA Board of Trustees on January 20, 2017. Some notable resolutions are:
- RESOLVED: That CMA reaffirm existing policy which: 1) supports access to interpreters for limited English proficient and hearing-impaired patients; 2) urges that the financial burden of providing these services not be borne by physicians; and 3) directs CMA to advocate that physicians required by law to provide these services free of charge to patients be fully reimbursed by all insurance payers.
- RESOLVED: That the CMA urge CMS to require Medicare Advantage plans to abide by all traditional Medicare Fee-for-Service payment and medical policies when reimbursing physicians on a fee-for-service basis to ensure uniformity in Medicare benefits and reduce provider burdens. This policy is not intended to impact payment rates that are agreed to between a Medicare Advantage plan and a physician; and be it further. This matter to be referred for national action.
- RESOLVED: That the CMA advocate to prevent the State, in the event of an overpayment in the Medi-Cal program, from recouping payments dispersed to providers, more than 365 days after the original payment.
The CMA has received eight resolutions for consideration in the second quarter (Q2) of the Year-Round Resolution Process. The Resolutions will be posted online at www.cmanet.org/hod to receive your testimony on February 13. The testimony period will be open from February 13 to March 13. After testimony closes, the Council or Subcommittee to which each resolution has been assigned will consider it. Your testimony and feedback will be considered by the Councils as they make policy recommendations.
- MOASC Institution member, UC Irvine gained approval last week to open a much anticipated school of nursing that will double the number of nursing students in a decade, helping meet the expected demands of an aging population. UC Regents voted to establish the Sue and Bill Gross School of Nursing, propelled by a $40 million donation given by the Gross Family Foundation last year. Construction of a building on campus will begin in 2018.
|
|
|
|
Noridian News
|
* MLN Connects Provider News
Announcements--Provider Enrollment Application Fee for CY2017
Claims, Pricers, and Codes--
Events--
Publications--
* Radiopharmaceutical Fee Schedule 2016 Updates
* Chronic Care Management Services FAQs-Rescinded SE1516.
- Medicare Participating Physician Directory Information for 2017 .
The Medicare Participating Physician Directory (MEDPARD) is a list of physicians, suppliers and practitioners (Medicare health care providers) who have signed an agreement to accept assignment on all claims. Read the complete update
|
|
|
- On Saturday, February 11, 2017, MOASC and the University of California Irvine (UCI) invite you to attend their 2nd Annual Spotlight on ASH. UCI faculty, who attended the 2016 Annual ASH Conference, will bring the premier topics and discussions to clinicians at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach. Register Now, or contact the MOASC office at 800-310-3553x1
- On Saturday, March 11, 2017 join nationally known and regionally based key-opinion leaders to assess your tools for thriving in an era of Personalized Medicine!
Join us for the 2017 MOASC Oncology Summit. There's an Oncology Revolution going on: Are your treatment choices still relevant in the era of Immuno-oncology and Molecularly-targeted therapies? We will discuss how to use the new tools of "Personalized Medicine" to guide treatment choices for Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer and Multiple Myeloma. This will be a practically-oriented, clinically relevant discussion and you will leave with new insights into your own practice patterns and how to make sure you are embracing the future today! For complete information on this superb program, please contact the MOASC Office at 800-310-3553x1, moasc@moasc.org or www.moasc.org.
- The 2nd Annual UC Irvine Health Hematology Symposium, presented by the Department of Pathology and the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, Anaheim, CA.
Topics will include:
* Molecular diagnostics in selected disorders
* Myelodysplastic syndrome
* Primer on flow cytometry for the general practitioner
* Venous thromboembolism
* Approach to the evaluation of anemia
* Selected vector-borne diseases
* Lupus anticoagulant and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
- If you are NOT currently dispensing oral drugs in your practice, would you be interested in working with MOASC and a specialty pharmacy company to provide this service to your patients? Please respond to the MOASC office at moasc@moasc.org with your answer. Thank you!
JOB BOARD:
- MEDICAL ASSISTANT - BACK OFFICE - INTERNAL MEDICINE
Are you looking to make a difference in people lives?
Are you energetic, motivated, a self-starter?
Have you recently graduated Medical Assisting school, or have you been an M.A. for several years?
Then look no further. Join our amazing team of professionals!
* Immediate Opening * Busy Internal Medicine Practice *
Excellent interpersonal skills with patients, families, staff & proficient with EHR Systems and ICD-10.
30 Hours per week, long-term opportunity; Newport Beach location close to Hoag Hospital,
Competitive compensation and benefits.
- NURSE PRACTITIONER- Long Beach community-based Hematology-Oncology practice is seeking a full time Nurse Practitioner. The candidate must provide quality healthcare services including: exams, diagnosis, treatment, education, and counseling for patients in accordance with the clinic protocols. This is a full time job Monday through Friday.
Requirements:
· Active license in good standing in the state of California.
· Oncology experience (desirable)
· Supervisory/management experience
· CPR certified: Basic Life Support for Healthcare Providers
Qualifications:
· Effective communication skills both written and verbal
· Critical thinking and problem solving skills
Job Duties
· Furnishing of prescriptions for pharmacolgics needed in the management and support of cancer patients.
· Supervising, educating and acting as a resource to other nurses and medical assistants.
· Initiating and writing orders following treatment protocols outlined by the physician for patients undergoing cancer therapy.
· Assisting in the management of patient education, patient issues and concerns.
· Overseeing and supervising the Infusion Center and assisting in the evaluation, treatment and orchestration of application of treatment for patients on regimens, protocols or treatment interventions.
· Screening and triage of telephone calls or other correspondence from patients, patients' families, hospice agencies, nurses and physicians.
· Night calls with physician on 1st call
For more information please contact the MOASC Office at: moasc@moasc.org or 800-310-3553 x1.
|
|
|
- ANCO is pleased to announce the 17th Multidisciplinary Management of Cancers: A Case-based Approach on March 17-19, 2017 at The Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa. Registration and housing now open at www.multicancers.org. EARLY REGISTRATION DISCOUNTS ENDS JANUARY 31; THE HOUSING BLOCK IS ALMOST FULL!
|
|
|
|
- An American Medical Association (AMA)-led coalition including ASCO and 15 other health care organizations are urging health plans, benefit managers, and other stakeholders to reform utilization management policies, including prior authorization requirements, imposed on medical tests, procedures, devices, and drugs. The coalition is urging an industry-wide reassessment of utilization management programs by applying common-sense concepts grouped into five broad categories, including clinical validity, continuity of care, transparency and fairness, timely access and administrative efficiency, and alternatives and exemptions. Read the principles at www.ama-assn.org/practice-management/addressing-prior-authorization-issues.
- Congressional Republicans are unlikely to meet their self-imposed deadline of Jan. 27 for producing legislation that would repair the Affordable Care Act, but House Speaker Paul Ryan, R-Wis., said Congress will send President Donald Trump a bill repealing the law by March. Trump and Vice President Mike Pence last Thursday joined a Republican retreat to discuss health care, rewriting the tax code and other priorities.
The federal government withdrew about $5 million worth of advertising that would have encouraged Americans to enroll in health insurance plans through Affordable Care Act exchanges.
|
|
|
|
- The next CMS Physicians, Nurses & Allied Health Professionals Open Door Forum scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, February 1, 2017, 11:00 AM Pacific Time (PT). Please dial-in at least 15 minutes before call start time. Discussions include, but are not limited to:
- Physician Compare website redesign and 2015 performance scores Webinars
Webinars will be conducted via WebEx at the following times:
- ICD-10 Code Updates and Impact to 4th Quarter 2016 Eligible Professional Medicare Quality Programs
For additional assistance, contact the QualityNet Help Desk at 1-866-288-8912 (TTY 1-877-715- 6222) from 5:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. PT, Monday through Friday, or via email at
qnetsupport@hcqis.org
.
- Medicare Shared Savings Program Accountable Care Organization Update
Next ODF: March 15, 2017
Please allow a week or so to get it posted. Thank you.
Open Door Participation Instructions:
This call will be Conference Call Only. Please dial-in at least 15 minutes before call start time
To participate by phone:
Dial: 1-800-837-1935 & Reference Conference ID: 56384402
Persons participating by phone do not need to RSVP. TTY Communications Relay Services are available for the Hearing Impaired. For TTY services dial 7-1-1 or 1-800-855-2880. A Relay Communications Assistant will help.
Encore: 1-855-859-2056; Conference ID: 56384402
Encore is an audio recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing 1-855-859-2056 and entering the Conference ID beginning 2 hours after the call has ended. The recording expires after 2 business days.
|
Affiliate Association News
- TODAY is the last day to apply for the ASH Congressional Fellowship Program at
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society is pleased to announce two upcoming Blood Cancer Conferences: one in San Francisco on February 4, 2017, and the other in Anaheim on March 4, 2017. These educational conferences have been developed to meet the needs of patients, survivors, caregivers and healthcare professionals. Conference attendees will receive the most current information and access to local resources to help navigate and make informed decisions about treatment and survival. The conferences are free, but registration is required.
For more information and conference registration, go to:
- The 2017 Community Oncology Conference will take place April 27 - 28 at the Gaylord National Hotel & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD, just outside of Washington, DC. Join more than 1,000 oncologists, allied health professionals, payers, and industry partners for two days of jam-packed learning and networking. Register today at COAConference.org Attendees will gain the insight and knowledge they need to fuel innovation and success in community oncology. For more information and to register click here.
- Applications are now being accepted for ASCO's Quality Training Program at
www.asco.org/training-education/professional-development/quality-training-program. This comprehensive 6-month program is oncology-focused and teaches clinicians how to improve quality using evidence-based decisions and how to reduce clinical and process variation for predictable and sustainable results. In 2017, there will be two regional locations, including Portland, OR (Session 1: April 20-21; Session 2: June 28-29; and Session 3: October 18).
- ASCO is pleased to remind members that you can use the QOPI platform to meet the MIPS reporting requirement of one measure through manual reporting. While one is the minimum requirement to avoid the 2019 penalty, ASCO encourages practices to report on at least four measures to become fully acquainted with the system and ensure that the CMS requirements are met. In addition, ASCO is using 2017 as a transition year to modify the QOPI Quality Clinical Data Registry (QCDR) to allow practices to meet 2018 MIPS reporting requirements. In the meantime, ASCO encourages all oncology practices to use 2017 to ensure they are positioned to report at the significantly higher volume (60% of their eligible charges for ALL measures) requirement in 2018.
- View ACCC's webcast on the MIPS--The Final Rules Under MACRA at
- Download all the oncology coding updates now from ACCC at
- Download ASH's MACRA 101 for Hematologists at
- NCCN has published updated NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) with NCCN Evidence Blocks™ for adolescent and young adult oncology (V2.2017); chronic myeloid leukemia (V2.2017); and, non-small cell lung cancer (V4.2017; chemotherapy order templates). For the complete updated versions of the NCCN Guidelines, NCCN Guidelines with NCCN Evidence Blocks™, the NCCN Compendium®, the NCCN Chemotherapy Order Templates (NCCN Templates®), and the NCCN Imaging Appropriate Use Criteria (NCCN Imaging AUC™), please visit www.nccn.org.
|
|
|
|
- Janssen Biotech is hosting an educational program entitled Darzalex-based Triplet Therapy for Multiple Myeloma Patients at First Relapse with Amy Marsala, N.P., UC San Francisco, on March 17 at Morimoto, 610 Main Street, Napa. RSVP at
www.medforcereg.net/SOMP1085229
.
- Pharmacyclics LLC and Janssen Biotech are pleased to announce a new indication for IMBRUVICA®: now FDA approved for patients with MZL who require systemic therapy after prior anti-CD20-based therapy. Accelerated approval was granted for this indication based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial. IMBRUVICA® was approved based on an open-label, multicenter, single-arm trial of MZL patients who received at least one prior therapy (N=63).1. Find out more information at www.imbruvicahcp.com
|
|
|
| MOASC CALENDAR
Spotlight on ASH
February 11, 2017
LunchTime Series
February 22, 2017
Oncology Summit
March 11, 2017
NCCN Meeting in Florida
March 23-25, 2017
COA Annual Meeting
April 27-28, 2017
ASCO National Meeting in Chicago
June 2-6, 2017
|
Best of 17th WCLC (International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, San Francisco, February 4)
(NCCN, San Francisco, March 11)
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
| |
|
