California Oncology Weekly
"Where California Oncologists Go For Answers!"
A publication of the
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc.
July 7, 2020
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This
Weekly
's Hot Topics
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- Noridian has information and guidance related to COVID-19 Noridian News
- Coronavirus in California now at highest level since the pandemic began. MOASC News
- Medicare Part B Advanced Payment, Repayment and Recoupment Process. CMS News
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The CMA and the California Health and Human Services Agency in partnership with CAPA and OPSC is hosting monthly virtual grand rounds on COVID-19. CME are available. Are you a physician, nurse practitioner or physician assistant likely to encounter COVID-19 in your medical practice? Then join a new monthly Virtual Grand Rounds series on the evolution of the coronavirus and patient management. The webinar is next Tuesday, July 14 from 12pm to 1:30pm Pacific, and will include presentations by Dr. Mark Ghlay, Dr. Sonia Angell, Dr. Erica Pan, and Dr. Alice Chen. REGISTER TODAY: CovidRoundsCA.org. If you have any questions, please contact covidrounds@cmadocs.org for more information.
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- Upcoming Education:
Please see our schedule of events webpage for upcoming webinars and training events. JEA, JEB, JAF, and JFB
- Noridian's
COVID-19 page has information and guidance related to COVID-19. To support providers, a COVID-19 Hotline has been established to help with COVID-19 related inquiries. The hotline number is: 866-575-4067. Customer services representatives will be available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m.-6 p.m. CDT. This hotline will answer questions on provisional billing privileges and enrollment flexibilities afforded by the COVID-19 waiver for health care facilities and providers, as well as accelerated payments related to COVID-19.
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Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) of Noncoverage Form CMS-R-131, has been approved by the OMB for renewal.
The renewed form with the expiration date of 06/30/2023 will be mandatory effective 08/31/2020. The form and instructions may be found at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/BNI/ABN. There is a webinar scheduled on 08/06/20 that will address the new ABN form, and ABN of Noncoverage, ABN Basics, ABN Completion, ABN Tips, ABN Resources and Noteworthy Information. Read the complete update.
- POEAG:
Do you have ideas on what training the hospital/physician community needs, how the current training can be improved or additional tools that would be beneficial? If so, you are a perfect candidate for the Provider Outreach and Education Advisory Group (POEAG). This group meets on a quarterly basis to discuss educational opportunities based on Medicare's mission and goals. Admission to the group is based on an application process. If interested, more information and the application are located on the Noridian Medicare website under the Education Outreach tab and POEAG.
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Open Meeting Announcement - July 15, 2020
This article has been published for notice under contract numbers: 01111 (CA), 01211 (AS, GU, HI, NMI), 01311 (NV), and 01911 (CA, HI & Territories). Read the complete update
Open Meeting Announcement - July 16, 2020
This article has been published for notice under contract numbers: 01111 (CA), 01211 (AS, GU, HI, NMI), 01311 (NV), and 01911 (CA, HI & Territories). Read the complete update
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Noridian Medicare Portal: Eligibility and MBI Lookup Inquiry Webinar - July 23, 2020
This event includes: Eligibility Inquiry Requirements, MBI Lookup Tool Requirements Read the complete update
- Noridian Medicare Portal: Claim Status Webinar - July 28, 2020
This event includes: How to perform a Claim Status Inquiry, Additional features available on a Claim Status Inquiry Read the complete update
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Coronavirus hospitalizations continued to rise and more counties were added Sunday to Gov. Gavin Newsom's COVID-19 watch list, which is now at its highest level since the pandemic began. As California, and many states, are once again, required to return to the bunkers, wear masks, social distance and remain away from large gatherings, following are some considerations and suggestions MOASC hopes will be helpful to you, as taken from Mary Byers.
- Recognize we are in this for the long haul. Speaker Ryan Estis says, "The response window for a crisis is typically measured in months, while recovery is measured in years." There hasn't been anything that leads one to believe we are in for a quick recovery.
- Make the best decisions you can and move on. While facing agonizing decisions and taking the time you need in making them, it is recommended to: Collect the data you need. Consult your team and listen carefully to what they recommend. Sleep on it. Decide. And then move on. Second-guessing serves no purpose. Remember, you are making the best decisions you can with the information you have.
- Accept that your contingency plans may need contingency plans. Is it safe to plan a fall opening? What about attending a 2021 meeting? Will we have subsequent waves in the fall or winter? Who knows? Practices are seeking virtual options to be built into the plan.
- Remain focused on helping your patients and staff through the pandemic. Patients and staff are seeing how you are scrambling to provide them with care, information, training, guidance and resources. This builds trust and loyalty. Create value.
- Prepare now for your "next normal." We've heard a lot about the new normal: this is what happens to you. Your next normal is what you choose as a result.
- Embrace the knowledge that uncertainty leads to acceleration. The pace of change has quickened almost overnight. Use this time to lean into the trends and realities that enable you to move to your preferred future.
- Admit decision fatigue is real. Take care of yourself as you are taking care of others. Get outside. Walk. Nap. Best ideas during this time haven't happened when sitting at a desk. They happen when being away from it-where you can see that there is still beauty and joy and hope in the world. It's these things that make it possible to keep driving forward.
Three words we hope to be encouraging and keep you going during this time. We will prevail. MOASC is here to help you at moasc@moasc.org.
- Read the MOASC Chair Emeritus, Cary A. Presant, M.D.,
article
on the "Best of ASCO 2020." The article was also submitted to Oncology Issues for publication.
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Physician practices can ill-afford to take cuts in reimbursement in today's healthcare environment.
Denied claims are, in fact, a source of significant lost revenue for many physician practices. Learn the best practice strategies for reducing denials.
Download Here
.
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What can MOASC do to further support you?
Your input is valuable. How can MOASC improve upon this publication and all communications to you? Please take a moment to respond to the following survey. It should take you less than 5 minutes to complete.
Upon receipt of your completed survey, you will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $50 Amazon gift card.
TAKE THE SURVEY NOW!
Thank you in advance for your time and feedback to participate in this survey. If you have any further comments, issues and concerns, please feel free to contact
moasc@moasc.org
.
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The Association of Northern California Oncologists (ANCO) continues to monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19)
pandemic and is committed to providing the membership the best possible information with which to make clinical and personal well-being decisions.
https://anco.org/anco-covid-19-updates-resources/
We encourage member practices to let ANCO know of COVID-19 resources they are depending upon and found useful and how they are responding to COVID-19 and serving their patients and staff at director@anco.org (Use Subject: COVID-19: RESPONSE). Thanks!
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ANCO physician members, their practice staff, and representatives from ANCO's corporate members must register to access password-protected content (e.g., The ANCO Directory, ANCO meeting materials) on the ANCO website
www.anco.org.
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Use ANCO's
job board to post or search for employment opportunities at ANCO member practices.
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Follow ANCO on Twitter at @ANCO News.
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National News
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Nearly 240 scientists from 32 countries sent an open letter urging the World Health Organization to develop new COVID-19 recommendations after presenting evidence that the virus is airborne.
The WHO has previously said the novel coronavirus is transmitted primarily by large respiratory droplets that are expelled when an infected person coughs or sneezes, but the scientists outlined evidence indicating that smaller particles of the virus can be transmitted through air and can infect people when inhaled.
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Lenovo has launched its Virtual Care service to help doctors manage chronically ill patients through home kits that include biometric devices to measure blood pressure and glucose levels and a Lenovo tablet programmed with "Rosie,"
a smart assistant that guides patients through their customized health plans. The monitoring service is intended to allow patients and doctors to communicate quickly and more efficiently, ultimately decreasing the number of in-person visits.
Engadget
.
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The Pharmacy Health Information Technology Collaborative is seeking stakeholder input on a revised version of its pharmacy value sets
meant to ensure the availability of codes for problems, outcomes, interventions and additional clinical information.
Pharmacy Times online
.
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CMS News
- COVID-19 Medicare Part B Advanced Payment, Repayment and Recoupment Process:
If you requested and received accelerated or advanced payments from Medicare due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, this learning session is for you. CMS expanded the accelerated and advance payment program for financial hardship relief during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Accelerated or advanced payments need to be repaid to the Medicare Trust Fund. This webinar will review the repayment and recoupment process. To register go to
https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8885083502656050699
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CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency's response to COVID-19.
These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts. Calls recordings and transcripts are posted on the CMS podcast page at:
https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/OpenDoorForums/PodcastAndTranscripts
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Affiliate Association News
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Being informed keeps patients in charge of their journey. Ensure your patients gain knowledge about issues that matter to them. Invite your patients to join you on Wednesday, July 15, 2020 for the Community Oncology Advocacy Summit: Cancer Care in a COVID-19 World. The Community Oncology Advocacy Summit is a free, virtual learning event for patients with cancer and patient advocates. COVID-19 has turned the health care world upside down. This event will empower patients and advocates to obtain the best treatment knowledge possible in an uncertain world. Attendees will learn about the latest in cancer policy and legislation, what cancer care will look like in the future, issues that impact your treatment, and much more. I hope you'll join us and the thousands of other attendees for this exciting live event. Click Here to Register!
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The International Lung Cancer Congress will hold their 21st Annual meeting on July 23-25, 2020. The live webcast will provide current, practical information on the management of lung cancer, as well as a look at the novel agents and strategies with the potential to shape the future of lung cancer therapy. Leading international and national experts will provide perspectives on how to apply the latest data on targeted agents, immunotherapy, surgery, and radiation oncology in the clinic. Click here to register.
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ASH has decided to transition the ASH Meeting on Hematologic Malignancies to a virtual experience to provide important education while assuring the wellbeing of the hematology community around the world. From August 27 to September 12, 2020 the ASH Meeting on Hematologic Malignancies features the top experts in the field, comprehensive clinical content, and exciting updates in each of the core hematologic malignancies, including: Leukemia; Lymphoma; Myelodysplastic syndromes; Myeloma and Myeloproliferative neoplasms. By transitioning the ASH Meeting on Hematologic Malignancies to a virtual experience that will combine both live and on-demand sessions. Visit their website for schedule updates.
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Cedars-Sinai 3rd Annual Gastrointestinal Tumor Conference is on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Concise and comprehensive updates on the most recent research and advances in immunotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers, will be presented. A stellar faculty has been assembled to share developments in precision medicine, research, and immunotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of cancers of the pancreas, liver, and gastric/esophagus. For more information and to register go to cedars.cloud-cme.com/gicancercme.
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For the complete updated versions of the NCCN Guidelines please visit NCCN.org.
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Industry News
- MOASC acknowledges and thanks Immunomedics as an annual sponsor. Please welcome and THANK them for supporting your organization, when they call or e-mail you. Immunomedics is committed to be a leading, innovative biopharmaceutical company, dedicated to improving health and quality of life with novel immunotherapeutics for the treatment of cancer, autoimmune and other serious diseases. https://www.immunomedics.com/. Welcome!
- Pfizer and Biotech announced early positive data from an ongoing Phase ½ study of MRNA-based vaccine candidate against SARS-COV-2. For more information click here.
- Pfizer announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved BAVENCIO® (avelumab) Injection 20 mg/mL for a new indication. BAVENCIO is co-developed and co-commercialized by EMD Serono and Pfizer Inc. Please refer to the revised Full Prescribing Information for BAVENCIO.
- Johnson & Johnson
and PhRMA cordially invites you to their webinar: Innovation During COVID-19 Townhall: An Update on Vaccine Development, on Wednesday, July 8th, 2020 at 1:00 to 2:30 p.m. ET. In these unprecedented times, America's biopharmaceutical companies are coming together to end COVID-19, and prevention is the first line of defense against this highly contagious disease. That's why top scientists are working to develop an effective and safe vaccine that will help prevent transmission and stop the spread of COVID-19. Please click here to RSVP to the event.
- Novartis is pleased to announce that for dates of service on or after July 1, 2020, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has issued a product-specific J-code: J0791 for injection, crizanlizumab-tmca, 5 mg.
The updated billing unit is 5 mg. The new and unique J-code replaces all previous HCPCS codes for ADAKVEO® (crizanlizumab-tmca) for IV Infusion 10 mg/mL. : For dates of service before July 1, 2020, use either J3490 (unclassified drugs, all sites of care) or J3590 (unclassified biologics, all sites of care). For dates of service between April 1, 2020, and June 30, 2020, some payers may allow the use of C9053 (Injection, crizanlizumab-tmca, 1 mg, Hospital outpatient). For more information click here.
- A federal circuit court has overruled an attempt by Genentech to stop Amgen from selling a bevacizumab biosimilar (Mvasi) in the United States.
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(Huntington Beach, July
23-25)
(Virtual, Various Dates)
(Davis, New Dates:
March 11-12, 2021)
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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 material contained in the
California Oncology Weekly
is intended as general information for 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 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
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