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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.
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This Weekly's Hot Topics
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- Oncology Clinical Pathways Act of 2017 (AB1107) (California News)
- ANCO President meetings reports (ANCO News)
- May is skin cancer awareness month (National News)
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California News
- Serving more than 43,000 members, the California Medical Association remains committed to their time-honored mission statement:
to promote the science and art of medicine, protection of public health, and the betterment of the medical profession.
- The Western Health Care Leadership Academy is the right place and time for physician leaders who want to stay on top of policy and political changes to shape the future of health care. Register today and join your colleagues, May 5-7 in San Diego for the West Coast's premier health care leadership conference!
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Noridian/JEMAC has posted the following updates to its website
* MLN Connects Provider News
Announcements
--SNF QRP Quick Reference Guide Now Available; Beneficiary Notice Initiative: New Email address for Questions; Clinicians: MIPS Participation Status Letter; Open Payments Program Year 2016 Review and Dispute Period Ends May 15; EHR Incentive Programs: Submit Comments on Proposed Changes by June 13; Quality Payment Program: New Videos for Small, Rural, and Underserved Practices; Updated Advance Beneficiary Notice
Claims, Pricers, and Codes
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Events
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Publications--SNF Billing Billing Reference Booklet-Revised; Open Payments Call: Audio Recording and Transcript-New; Diagnosis Coding: Using the ICD-10-CM Web-Baed Training Course-Revised; PECOS FAQs Booklet-Reminder
* NCCI Procedure to Procedure Edits, Version 23.2, Effective July 1, 2017-Quarterly Update CR10082
* Payment for Moderate Sedation Services CR10001
* Modifier 59 (May 4, May 10)
* Noridian Medicare Portal Registration and Functionality (May 17)
* Mammography, Pap Test, Pelvic Exam, and Cervical Cancer with HPV Tests (May 31)
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There is Still Time to Evaluate Noridian's Services!
Share your experiences about the services Noridian provides. Read the complete update
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- MOASC Board of Directors has endorsed New Mexico medical oncologist, Barbara McAneny MD in her campaign for President-Elect of the American Medical Association (AMA). MOASC asks members who are AMA members to reach out to their AMA delegates and encourage them to vote for Dr. McAneny for President-Elect in the June 2017 election. For more information about Dr. McAneny and her positions on important healthcare policy issues, visit
www.barbaramcaneny.com
.
- MOASC and ANCO have sponsored California legislation entitled the Oncology Clinical Pathway Act of 2017 (AB1107). This billrequires health plans that choose to develop oncology clinical pathways meet specific standards regarding those pathways and divulge specific information to in-network providers upon request. Read the text of AB1107 at
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180AB1107
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- Read ANCO President Daniel P. Mirda's, MD, report on the April NCCN and ASCO State Affiliate Council meetings in the latest issue of the ANCO FAX News at www.anco-online.org/afn16-8.pdf.
- ANCO is organizing a series of Hematologic Malignancies Updates in 2017.
The first Update will take place on May 6 at the Sacramento Hyatt Regency on May 6 with Mehrdad Abedi, M.D., University of California, Davis, Sandy Wong, M.D., University of California, San Francisco, and Julian Davis, M.D., University of California, Davis. The latest research on novel treatment modalities for hematologic malignancies, myeloma, and amyloidosis, along with case studies for these diagnoses, will be presented. These updates are supported by Janssen Biotech, Merck, Pfizer Oncology, and Pharmacyclics. Download the meeting announcement at www.anco-online.org/2Q2017HemeMaligUpdate.pdf.
- ANCO's ASCO Highlights 2017 will not take place in 2017 in lieu of our encouragement of members to attend ASCO's Best of ASCO in San Francisco (http://west-boa.asco.org; June 16-17). However, ANCO will host an event on June 15 entitled The State of Cancer Care with Wes Kidder, M.D., and Margaret Tempero, M.D., University of California, San Francisco, at the San Francisco Marriott Marquis. Download the meeting announcement/registration form at www.anco-online.org/ANCOatBOA2017.pdf.
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- The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) with the Community Oncology Pharmacy Association (COPA) have been heavily involved in fighting back on CVS Caremark's decision to cease contracting with "Physician In-Office Dispensaries." COPA is looking to see if there are any physician dispensing pharmacies that previously had been denied in the CVS/Caremark network to eventually getting approved to be in the CVS Caremark network this year. Below, is a letter from CVS Caremark to physicians regarding CVS Caremark's current position. Many physician dispensing pharmacies have received this notice since last November. Currently CVS Caremark is not allowing new physician dispensing pharmacies into their network. COA & COPA is working with the law firm Frier Levitt on this issue as it is completely unfounded and unfair to our patients and practices.
"Dear Non-Pharmacy Dispenser:
This notice is to communicate that CVS Caremark is not currently processing provider enrollment applications for non-Pharmacy dispensers into our retail pharmacy network. Over the next several months, CVS Caremark will be evaluating our client's requirements and demand for a physician dispensing network. If you wish to be contacted in the future about a physician dispensing network notify us via fax (
480-661-3054) and provide your full contact information including NCPDP, fax and email address. Thank you, CVS Caremark, Provider Enrollment."
In case you missed the October 17th, 2016 COA webinar regarding this continuing issue, here are the slides for your information. Patient Care in Peril?
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- The Oncology Care Model (OCM) team will be hosting the OCM Stakeholder Public Forum on Thursday, May 11, 2017 from 10:00am-1:00 p.m. PDT. All interested OCM stakeholders are invited to attend this public forum, with the goal of hearing feedback about OCM. The forum will include a brief introduction from the OCM team followed by discussion. An agenda will be sent to registrants two weeks prior to the forum and will include gathered topics that may be submitted via the text field in the registration link below. Attendees may attend virtually or in-person at the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Central Office.
Registration will close one week in advance of the forum. Registration is available via this link until 2:00 p.m. PDT, May 4, 2017.Conference call-in information will be provided to registrants with the agenda one week prior to the meeting. For questions or additional event information, please email OCMSupport@cms.hhs.gov.
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2017 list of approved qualified registries. Group practices may utilize these third-party vendors to report data for the quality, advancing care information, and improvement activities categories of the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in order to avoid a -4% penalty and potentially earn a small bonus in 2019. Registry is one of several MIPS reporting options. Groups participating in the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) track of the Quality Payment Program are not required to register, except for groups that intend to utilize the CMS Web Interface and/or administer the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) for MIPS survey. To register, please visit the Quality Payment Program website. The registration period is from April 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017. The registration period is from April 1, 2017 through June 30, 2017.
- Subscribers of the PQRS listserv are encouraged to sign up for the new CMS Quality Payment Program listserv. The Quality Payment Program is part of the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) and includes two tracks - Advanced Alternative Payment Models (APMs) and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS).
MIPS will replace three Medicare reporting programs:
EHR Incentive Program (Meaningful Use); Physician Quality Reporting System; Value-Based Payment Modifier.
The Quality Payment Program listserv will provide news and updates on:
New resources and website updates; Upcoming milestones and deadlines; CMS trainings and webinars.
The Quality Payment Program's first performance period opened on January 1, 2017 and closes December 31, 2017. Participation in MIPS can start as early as January 1, 2017 or as late as October 2, 2017. The first payment adjustments based on performance go into effect on January 1, 2019. Subscribe to the Quality Payment Program listserv to receive reminders for all of these important deadlines. To subscribe, visit the Quality Payment Program
portal and select "Subscribe to Email Updates" in the footer. The Education & Tools page includes program resources to help you learn more about eligibility and how to participate.
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Affiliate Association News
- ASCO has endorsed Barbara McAneny MD in her campaign for President-Elect of the American Medical Association (AMA). ASCO invites members who are AMA members to reach out to their AMA delegates and encourage them to vote for Dr. McAneny for President-Elect in the June 2017 election. For more information about Dr. McAneny and her positions on important healthcare policy issues, visit www.barbaramcaneny.com.
- ACCC is hosting a series of webinars on Immuno-Oncology, as follows: Challenging Issues in Breast Cancer Management on May 4 at 12PM PDT; Immuno-Oncology Management Best Practices 2.0 May 18 at 10AM PDT. Visit www.accc-cancer.org/webinars for more information.
- ASCO is releasing a series of webinars to guide oncology practices to successful quality reporting pursuant to MACRA/QPP. The webinars will take place on May 15 (Quality Payment Program: Scoring the Quality Measures), June 19 (Quality Payment Program: Scoring for Advancing Care Information and Improvement Activities), and July 10 (Quality Payment Program: Optimizing Your MIPS Score). All webinars are scheduled for 1PM PT. For more information and to register, visit www.asco.org/macra > MACRA Webinar Series.
- 2017 ASCO Annual Meeting is June 2-6 at McCormick Place, Chicago. The deadline to secure the lowest rates for the is April 26. Don't miss engaging education sessions, discussing practice-changing research, and connecting with global experts in oncology. Register by Wednesday, April 26 at 8:59 PM (PDT) and save up to $270 on registration fees, depending on your registration type. View all session details, including faculty, presentation titles, and times in the preliminary program. Register and reserve your hotel by April 26 for the best rates. Limited hotel rooms are available. Join ASCO today and save even more!
- Attend the 2017 ASH Meeting on Hematologic Malignancies (MHM) this September 8 & 9, in Chicago to hear how the top experts in the field treat patients with hematologic malignancies. During the meeting's "How I Treat" presentations, speakers will present cutting-edge scientific data that can be translated into new strategies for diagnosis and treatment, showcase their own evidence-based treatment approaches, and address what to do in cases where there is no data.
Early Bird registration rates end April 30th! REGISTER NOW.
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You can help reduce the number of people diagnosed with cancer, and help increase the number of people who survive, by
donating to the Conquer Cancer Foundation today. Your generosity will allow us to support the best and brightest researchers working to prevent, treat, and cure all types of cancer - researchers like Dr. Paul K. Paik of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. He received a CCF grant in 2012 to study lung cancer. "The discoveries we are making now are things we can use immediately in terms of patient care," explained Dr. Paik. Since 1984, CCF has supported more than a thousand researchers. But each year, there are still high-quality projects that go unfunded due to a lack of resources. Give now in honor of National Cancer Research Month and help ensure even more researchers can get to work conquering cancer. Thank you in advance for your support.
- NCCN is
pleased to offer pocket-sized versions of the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) for Colon Cancer, Rectal Cancer, Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia/Small Lymphocytic Lymphoma, and Melanoma
to you free of charge. These hard cover, ring-bound pocket guides are conveniently sized to fit in a lab coat and serve as a valuable reference tool. Feel free to order while supplies last at https://www.nccn.org/redirects/nicelines.asp?Type=general. Again, there is no fee for these pocket guides.
- NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®), et.al., for:
Breast Cancer, Version 2.2017
;
Primary Cutaneous B-Cell Lymphomas, Version 2.2017; Uterine Neoplasms, Version 2.2017.
T
he previous update (Version 1.2017) to the NCCN Guidelines for Uterine Neoplasms, published on November 21, 2016, is available at the following link:
https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/pdf/uterine.pdf
For the complete updated versions of the NCCN Guidelines, et.al., please visit NCCN.org.
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- Bayer Healthcare Pharmaceuticals informs ANCO and MOASC that the United States Food and Drug Administration has expanded the indication for Stivarga to include the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) who have been previously treated with sorafenib.
- Genentech BioOncology informs ANCO and MOASC that the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Tecentriq for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) who are not eligible for cisplatin-containing chemotherapy.
- Despite losing market exclusivity for a few of its drugs, Merck & Co. beat analysts' earnings predictions with first-quarter pharmaceutical sales rising by 1%.
Read More
- Novartis Pharmaceuticals Corporation received FDA approval, on April 28, 2017, to market RYDAPT® (midostaurin) capsules. Please click here for full Prescribing Information. Please reach out to Bill Spelta, Senior Regional Account Manager, Novartis Oncology william.spelta@novartis.com, with any questions if you would like more information.
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MOASC CALENDAR
ASCO National Meeting in Chicago
June 2-6, 2017
Spotlight on ASCO
July 29, 2017
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(San Francisco,
June 16-17)
(ANCO Member Discount Code IBW17ANCO, San Diego, July 14-15)
(ANCO Member Discount Code ILC17ANCO,
Huntington Beach, July 27-29)
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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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