C
a
l
i
f
o
r
n
i
a
O
n
c
o
l
o
g
y
W
e
e
k
l
y
"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.
|
|
|
- Three hospital groups file lawsuit against the Trump administration to block 340B cuts. (National News)
- FDA initiates temporary importation of some intravenous drug products from its facilities in other countries. (National News)
- The Value of Community Oncology: New Site of Care Cost Research webinar (Affiliate Association News)
|
|
|
- Noridian/JEMAC has posted more updates to its website:
* MLN Connects
Announcements--MIPS Virtual Group Election Period Ends December 1; MIPS: Participate in Field Testing of Episode-Based Cost Measures by November 15; Physician Compare Preview Period Extended to December 1; Northern California Wildfires: Disaster Exceptions/Exemptions for Medicare Certified Providers; New Medicare Card: Help Notify Your Patients; Quality Payment Program Resources in New Location
Claims, Prices & Codes
--
Events
--Quality Payment Program Year 2 Overview Webinar-November 14; SNF Value-Based Purchasing Program FY2018 Final Rule Call-November 16; Quality Payment Program Virtual Groups Train-the-Trainer Webinar-November 17; Quality Payment Program Year 2 Final Rule Call-November 30
Publications--
Quality Payment Program in 2017: Advanced Alternative Payment Models Web-Based Training Course-New; Transition to New Medicare Numbers and Cards Fact Sheet-Revised; Remittance Advice Information: An Overview Booklet-Reminder;
* Reporting a Non-Covered Test Performed in Preparation for a Non-Covered Procedure
* Medicare FFS Response to the 2017 California Wildfires-Revised SE17035
* Medicare B News JE October 2017 Bulletin-Now Available
* Open Enrollment Participation Program for 2018
* New Waived Tests CR10321
* The MolDX: Bladder Tumor Marker FISH Billing and Coding Guidelines coverage article has been revised and published for notice. Read the complete update
* MolDX: AlloSure Donor-Derived Cell-Free DNA Test Final LCD - Effective December 11, 2017.
The Local Coverage Determination (LCD) has completed the Open Public and Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) comment period and is now finalized. Read the complete update
*
Do you want a better understanding of Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) payments and what the payment amounts mean? Use the updated MSP Payment calculator to assist in determining the line by line claim payment for covered services when Medicare is the secondary payer. Read the complete update
* CR 10071 provides the July 2017 quarterly update for the Medicare DMEPOS fee schedule, and it includes information, when necessary, to implement fee schedule amounts for new codes and correct any fee schedule amounts for existing codes. Read the complete update
- Upcoming Noridian/JEMAC webinars include:
* Modifier 59, NCCI, and MUE Webinar (November 29)
* Preventive and Screening Services Webinar (December 6)
* Modifier 59, NCCI, and MUE Webinar (December 13)
|
|
|
- The 2017 MOASC Administrator & Oncology Billing Programs,
highlighted MACRA quality reporting scores and how not to miss your bonus through MIPS in 2019, Benchmarking and Revenue Cycles, the Impact of Rising Healthcare Costs and Systems Thinking Approach® to Strategic Management, A/R Billing Updates and Medi-Cal Updates. For information on access to view the presentations and to get the handouts, please contact the MOASC office at moasc@moasc.org or 909-985-9061 x1.
- MOASC President, Warren Fong, M.D. attended the California Medical Association House of Delegates, October 20-22, 2017. Read his report HERE.
- MEMBER ONCOLOGIST CLOSING PRACTICE, DRUG STOCK AVAILABLE. A MOASC member is closing their practice and has leftover stock available. If you are interested in purchasing some of leftover stock of chemo meds, please contact moasc@moasc.org for the list of drugs and information.
|
|
|
- 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.
- ANCO's Medicare Reimbursement for Oncology 2017 & Revenue Cycle State of the State with Bobbi Buell takes place in San Jose on January 3 and Sacramento on January 4. Learn the latest information impacting Medicare's reimbursement for oncology in 2018 and what to do about your denial rate, days to pay, and ays to file using data specific to northern California. This will be a unique opportunity to get benchmarks that you can use for billing and appeals at your facility. Download the meeting announcement and registration form at www.anco-online.org/MedicareUpdate2018.pdf.
- 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 for more information, to register, and arrange for housing.
|
|
|
- Three hospital groups filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration yesterday to try to block dramatic cuts in a federal drug discount program. The American Hospital Association, Association of American Medical Colleges and America's Essential Hospitals argue in a D.C. federal court filing Congress intended for hospitals and health clinics serving low-income patients to receive a discount on drugs through the 340B program. Earlier this month, CMS formalized a proposal to cut payments for physician-administered drugs by more than 28 percent, translating to $1.6 billion in less money for hospitals. Rural and sole community hospitals, certain cancer and children's hospitals will be exempt from the policy.
The cuts would take effect Jan. 1, 2018 if a judge doesn't issue an injunction. Drug companies have argued hospitals take advantage of the 340B program to receive discounts on drugs without making it clear how the savings would be applied.
- Former pharmaceutical industry executive Alex Azar is to lead HHS. Azar is the former head of Eli Lilly's U.S. division. He also served as HHS general counsel and deputy secretary during the George W. Bush administration, and has received praise for his competence and knowledge about health policy. He is a strong critic of the Affordable Care Act. And he previously has opposed ideas for reducing prescription drug prices such as purchasing drugs from other countries where prices are lower.
-
KPCC: Hospitals Scramble To Deal With A Shortage Of Saline Drip Bags. Hurricane Maria's ripple effects have reached California. When the storm destroyed much of Puerto Rico's infrastructure, it disrupted the operations of the leading manufacturer of saline solution IV bags, leading to a shortage that has affected California and other states. ASCO & COA are collecting information from around the country and will be meeting with the United States Food and Drug Administration to determine what solutions they have or are planning to resolve this problem. In the interim, the American Society of Health-System Pharmacists and the University of Utah Drug Information Service have developed a document with suggestions for management and conservation of small-volume parenteral solutions (SVPs) at
- ASCO UPDATE: ASCO met with FDA and other stakeholders to discuss recent drug shortages and some temporary solutions to help alleviate the situation. Baxter Healthcare in conjunction with the FDA has initiated temporary importation of some intravenous drug products from its facilities in other countries. Refer to Baxter's Dear Healthcare Professional (HCP) letters for further information https://www.fda.gov/downloads/Drugs/DrugSafety/DrugShortages/UCM581644.pdf
|
CMS News
- CMS, in its final rule on the 2018 HOPSS, has finalized a proposal to cut reimbursement for separately paid drugs under the 340B Drug Pricing Program from ASP plus 6% to ASP minus 22.5%. Rural Sole Community Hospitals, PPS-exempt Cancer Hospitals, and Children's hospitals will be exempt from this policy in 2018. In addition, CMS finalized proposed revisions to the 14-day rule for molecular pathology and advanced diagnostic laboratory tests. Learn more at www.cms.gov/Newsroom/MediaReleaseDatabase/Fact-sheets/2017-Fact-Sheet-items/2017-11-01.html.
|
Affiliate Association News
- Year in Review
, moderated by Neil Love, M.D., is a multi-tumor regional sym
posia series focused on the application of emerging research information to the care of patients with common cancers, is scheduled for Saturday, November 18, 2017 at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel in Santa Monica, CA. To register go to
- The second annual ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium, January 25-27 in San Francisco, will feature more than 40 expert faculty discussing the latest clinical and translational advances in immuno-oncology. These specialists will facilitate in-depth discussions on cutting-edge research currently shaping the clinical application of immunotherapy, as well as provide insight into what this research means for future patient care.
- The abstract submitter is now open for the 2018 ASCO Annual Meeting. Submit an abstract by February 13, 2018, at 11:59 PM (EST) to be considered for presentation or publication at this year's Annual Meeting, held June 1-5, in Chicago, Illinois.
- ASH has started accepting applications for the ASH Congressional Fellowship Program for 2018 - 2019. This year-long opportunity will place a hematologist on Capitol Hill to work in a Congressional office and help shape health care and hematology policy. This opportunity will be available for one ASH member starting in September 2018. For requirements, more information or to apply today, please visit the Congressional Fellowship Program website.
- ASCO's Position Statement on Addressing the Affordability of Cancer Drugs was recently published in ASCO's Journal of Oncology Practice. It analyzes a wide array of options on the table--from allowing Medicare to negotiate prices, to legalizing the importation of drugs--and proposes an evidence-based way of determining which proposals will be effective. ASCO's recommendations focus on arriving at solutions to increase affordability, while preserving patients' access to care and fostering innovation. Read the statement at http://ascopubs.org/doi/abs/10.1200/JOP.2017.027359?.
-
NCCN has published updates to the below
. For the complete updated versions, please visit NCCN.org. Recent updates include: chronic lymphocytic leukemia/small lymphocytic lymphoma (V2.2018), occult primary cancer of unknown primary (V1.2018), T-cell lymphomas (V1.2018).
|
|
|
- Genentech BioOncology informs ANCO and MOASC that the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Alecensa for the first-line treatment of patients with anaplastic lymphoma kinase (ALK)-positive metastatic non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) as detected by an FDA-approved test.
- Merck informs ANCO and MOASC that the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Prevymis to help prevent cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection and disease in adults who have been exposed to CMV and have received an allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell (bone marrow) transplant (HCST).
- Seattle Genetics informs ANCO and MOASC that the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Adcetris for the treatment of adult patients with primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (psALCL) or CD30-expressing mycosis fungoides (MF) who have received prior systemic therapy.
|
|
|
|
MOASC CALENDAR
Professional Educational Series
November 8-9
|
(San Francisco, January 18-20)
(San Francisco, January 25-27)
(San Francisco, February 8-10)
(Napa, March 16-18)
|
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
| |
|
