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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 Topic
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The American Medical Association members voted for New Mexico oncologist Dr. Barbara McAneny as their president-elect during the organization's annual House of Delegates meeting in Chicago today.
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California News
- The Legislature and Governor have come to an agreement regarding the allocation of the tobacco funds for the Medi-Cal program. AB 120 allocates $325 million for Medi-Cal supplemental payments for physician services and $140 million for Denti-Cal services. Additional allocations of $81 for women's health, HIV/AIDs, and Developmentally Delayed health services. The remaining $700 million will go to backfill the Medi-Cal budget for the expansion population. The Senate Budget Committee held a hearing on the bill this afternoon. CMA is still reviewing the deal and working internally; but they have indicated to the California Cancer PAC lobbyist that they will not support the bill, but they may not oppose it either.
- CMA's Practice Resources (CPR; June 2017; www.cmanet.org/cpr) is now available and features articles entitled:
* TRICARE transition to be delayed.
* CMA urges CMS to address significant concerns with planned changes to ID cards.
* Noridian deactivates more providers who failed to respond to revalidation requests.
* Maintaining your Medicare opt-out status.
* The Coding Corner: Why and how to perform coding self-audits
- Forthcoming CMA webinars include:
* Transitioning your Practice: Retiring, Selling, or Buying a Practice (June 28)
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* MLN Connects Provider News
Announcements
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Claims, Pricers, and Codes--July 2017 Average Sales Price Files Available
Events--
Publications--Quality Payment Program Overview Web-Based Training Course-New; Scheduled End of the Intravenous Immune Globulin Demonstration MLN Matters Article-New
* Advance Beneficiary Notice of Nonycoverage-New Version Effective June 21, 2017
* Diagnostic and Therapeutic Colonoscopy Final LCD-Effective July 17, 2017
- Register now for forthcoming Noridian/JEMAC June webinars. Read the complete update of Noridian hosted, free web-based workshops (webinars) or go to
* Noridian Medicare Portal Registration and Functionality (June 14)
* Understanding National and Local Coverage Determinations (June 15, 20)
- Effective June 21, 2017, providers MUST use the most recent version of the Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) Form CMS-R-131 with the March 2020 expiration date. If the new form is not used on or after this date, any new ABN executed on the old form will be considered invalid and would result in provider liability if Medicare denies the claim. For more information please go to https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/BNI/ABN.html.
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- SAVE-THE-DATE, for MOASC's Spotlight On series presentation by the University of California Irvine of the 3rd Annual Spotlight on ASCO, Saturday, July 29 at the Waterfront Beach Resort, Huntington Beach. Topics to be addressed, at this time are: ASCO Abstract Highlights, Colorectal & Gastro-Esophageal cancer, Breast cancer and Lung cancer.
- Renew your MOASC Membership TODAY! Continue your investment in your association.
We truly appreciate your devotion to serving the California oncology community! In an uncertain economy combined with the rapid changes to healthcare and its delivery, you are required to stay one-step ahead and keep informed. In order to achieve success, you need the right tools and resources; MOASC is the association that can bring those tools to you and your practice. You have read, in this publication, of MOASC's successful collaborative efforts in Sacramento and Washington DC.
Renew
your membership in two ways:
1. Print the application HERE. Mail application with your check to: Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, P.O. Box 161, Upland, CA 91785
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- 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.
- SAVE THE DATE--ANCO's 2017 Professional Education Meeting will take place on September 6 at the San Jose Fairmont and feature talks on QPP/MACRA, ASCO's COME HOME Project, USP 797/800, and California Legislative/Regulatory Updates. Watch for a meeting announcement in early July.
- ANCO member practice manager Harvey Bichkoff has authored an ASCO Connection commentary entitled
An On-the-Ground
Approach to Implementing MACRA in Your Practice. Read Bichkoff's commentary at
http://connection.asco.org/blogs.
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- The Anthem Network Update (June 2017) is now available online at http://www11.anthem.com/ca/provider/f5/s3/t3/pw_g311754.pdf and features articles entitled Reminder: Prior authorization for Genetic Testing, Anthem Blue Cross will be expanding the Specialty Pharmacy prior authorization drug list, and Update to AIM diagnostic imaging clinical appropriateness guidelines.
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- The CMS Region IX's Division of Financial Management & Fee For Service Operations will be hosting a webinar for Region IX's medical societies and associations on Monday, June 26, 2017, from 1:00 pm until 2:00 pm Pacific Time. The purpose of the call will be to provide an update on CMS' initiatives.
The tentative agenda includes:
Durable Medical Equipment (DME) Prior Authorization;
Preparing for the Quality Payment Program (QPP); and
RO9 Chief Medical Officer Update:
The final agenda will be sent prior to the call.
CMS Region IX's Webinar with Medical Societies & Associations
Host: Neal Logue
Access Information
1. Please call the following number:
WebEx: 1-877-267-1577
2. Follow the instructions you hear on the phone.
Your WebEx Meeting Number: 997 678 532
To join this meeting online
2. If requested, enter your name and email address.
3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: This meeting does not require a password.
4. Click "Join".
5. Follow the instructions that appear on your screen.
If you have any questions, please contact Neal Logue with CMS at (415) 744-3551 or at
Neal.Logue@cms.hhs.gov
.
Thank you.
- CMS is readying a fraud intervention initiative that removes Social Security Numbers from Medicare cards to help combat identify theft and safeguard taxpayer dollars. The new cards will use a unique, randomly-assigned number called a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) to replace the Social Security-based Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) currently used on the Medicare card. CMS will begin mailing new cards in April 2018. For more information, visit the CMS Social Security Removal Initiative (SSNRI) website at www.cms.gov/medicare/ssnri/.
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Affiliate Association News
- ASCO and ASH have issued statements strongly opposing the Trump Administration's
proposed cuts to Federal agencies that support biomedical research and Medicaid for FY2018, including a 21% proposed funding cut for NIH, a 20% proposed funding cut for NCI, and reducing Medicaid funding by more than $600B
. Such extreme reductions to programs that are critical to research will fundamentally damage the nation's progress in treating patients and will irreversibly harm the nation's already fragile biomedical research infrastructure.
- ASH is now accepting nominations for members to participate in its seventh annual Advocacy Leadership Institute that will take place September 27-28, 201
7, in Washington, DC. This two-day workshop is an exciting opportunity for ASH members who wish to learn about legislation and health policy affecting hematology research and practice. The first day of
the Institute will include sessions featuring guest speakers from Congress and the Administration. On the second day, participants will visit their congressional delegation on Capitol Hill to apply what was learned on the first day. Nominations are being accepted through June 16. Self-nominations are welcome, and individuals may nominate more than one colleague. To submit a nomination or to learn more about this opportunity, visit the
ASH website.
- NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN GuidelinesĀ®), et.al., for: bladder cancer (V5.2017), breast cancer screening and diagnosis (V1.2017), esophageal and esophagogastric junction cancers (V1.2017), genetic/familial high-risk assessment: colorectal (V1.2017). For the complete updated versions of the NCCN Guidelines, et.al., please visit
NCCN.org.
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- Genentech BioOncology will host an expert-led educational presentation entitled Tecentriq in Locally Advanced or Metastatic Urotheliald Carcinoma (mUC) and Previously Untreated Metastatic Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) on Friday, June 16 at 6PM at Fogo de Chao Brazilian Steakhouse, San Francisco. RSVP at www.medforcereg.net/SGEN8481.
- Janssen Oncology informs ANCO that Zytiga is now available in a new dosage (500mg) and formulation for patients with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC). In addition, Janssen Oncology will host a small interactive discussion entitled Xarelto Pivotal Trials and Recently Published Real World Evidence in NVAF on Friday, June 16 at 6:30PM at One Market Restaurant, San Francisco. RSVP at www.medforcereg.net/SOMP116514.
- Merck informs ANCO that the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Keytruda for the treatment of locally advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) for first-line use in cisplatin-ineligible patients and second-line use post-platinum failure.
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The Henne Group (THG) and Clinical Outcomes Solutions (COS) are conducting a study on behalf of Celgene regarding the experiences of metastatic pancreatic cancer patients. Specifically, their goal is to explore patients' experiences of being treated with FOLFIRINOX (FFX) or Abraxane plus Gemcitabine (A/G) in order to identify the most important and relevant outcomes from the patients' perspective. We hope to accomplish this by inviting patients to complete an online survey at two time points. In addition, some patients will be asked to take part in a short telephone interview.
THG/COS is asking for your assistance in referring and screening patients to participate in this important study. $150 for each patient you refer who completes the study is provided. As for the patients themselves, those who complete the online surveys will receive $100. Those who participate in the telephone interview will receive a total of $200.
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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)
ANCO 2017 Professional Education Meeting
(San Jose, September 6)
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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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