MOASC Programs - Save the Dates - All Times are Pacific

August 11, 5:30-6:30 PDT, MOASC will host a live Zoom meeting on Innovative Immunotherapy in Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma. Evolving Science, Key Clinical Evidence, and Implications for Multidisciplinary Management. Karl D. Lewis, MD University of Colorado, Anschutz Medical Campus, University of Colorado Cancer Center, will chair & moderate the CME/MOC/NCPD/CPE presentation and discussions.

August 19, 5:30-6:30 PDT, MOASC will host a live webinar on Practical Tips for Prostate Cancer, Genomic Testing Forum. Matthew Rettig, MD, Professor of Medicine and Urology, Medical Director Prostate Cancer Program, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA. Chief, Division of Hematology-Oncology, VA Greater Los Angeles Healthcare System and Stephen Freedland, M.D., Warschaw, Robertson and Law Families; Chair in Prostate Cancer, Professor of Surgery (Urology), Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Staff Physician, Durham VA Medical Center, will lead discussions. This program is intended for practitioners involved in prostate cancer care, to discuss the rationale and significance of genomic testing in prostate cancer and to understand the adoption of different molecular diagnostic options available.

August 25th at 12:30pm, MOASC LunchTime Series presents a zoom meeting with Bradley Behrendt, Financial Consultant discussing new California law requirements that force business with more than 5 employees to provide a qualified health plan to their employees. 

SAVE THE DATE! MOASC’s “Spotlight On Oncology” is scheduled for Saturday, October 2, 2021 from 8am – 12pm. MOASC Board member, Jason Zell, MD will moderate discussions on: Melanoma presented by Omid Hamid, MD; Genitourinary Cancer presented by Nataliya Mar, MD; Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer presented by Jennifer Valerin, MD; Lower Gastrointestinal Cancer presented by May T. Cho, MD; Lung Cancer presented by Misako Nagasaka, MD, and Breast Cancer presented by Rita S. Mehta, MD.

October 29-30, The University of California San Diego invites you to their inaugural Delivering Discoveries: Updates in Oncology CME conference. The diagnosis and management of cancer patients is increasingly complex and requires multidisciplinary management. This 1.5 day event will address all aspects of cancer from basic science research, advances in clinical care, to community-based approaches that optimize prevention and interception.

A California rule taking effect in August will require state employees, health care providers and facilities, and workers in congregate settings to provide verification of their COVID-19 vaccination status or undergo mandatory periodic COVID-19 testing. The state will also require unvaccinated workers at outpatient facilities, such as dental offices, to wear masks and get tested for COVID-19 weekly.

Last year, the California Medical Association (CMA) advocated for Congress to provide more than $175 billion in funding to help physicians sustain their practices through the COVID-19 pandemic. On August 11, 12:15 PM - 1:15 PM, join the CMA for a webinar on how physicians must report on their Provider Relief Fund (PRF) expenditures. CMA and representatives from accounting firm Moss Adams will share the latest information and how it could affect your organization, as well as help in navigating the reporting requirements. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has released revised reporting requirements and frequently asked questions. These requirements went into effect on June 11, 2021. The updates reflect significant changes to prior guidance. Topics that will be covered include key changes and outstanding questions related to the PRF reporting guidance, including:

The California State Legislature has passed, and Governor Newsom has signed into law, a state budget for 2021-22 that mandates the sharing of complete patient records across the health care system by January 31, 2024. The goal of this law, is an attempt toward improved health outcomes and ensuring health equity for every person in California. California has more rural, individual and small group practices than any state in the union, each care site utilizes various health information systems that do not communicate and have been siloed in disconnected electronic health record systems and even paper files. Apparently unknown to the legislators, such disconnections between EHR’s of practitioners, hospitals and healthplans, the technological feasibility may prove difficult to generate a single longitudinal view of each patient so all providers can offer the best care possible in two years, though some states may already be doing so. This new requirement for California’s healthcare providers and payers to securely exchange health information in real time presumes the outcome would assure patients that their providers will have their entire health history to empower the system and improve efficiency, reduce cost, and create a seamless user experience.

Blue Shield of California offers assistance to Blue Shield of California members affected by wildfires in California. There are numerous fires underway throughout California. Blue Shield is working hard to ensure the safety and care of all Blue Shield of California members during this difficult time. Blue Shield of California members who are in one of the affected areas, may be eligible for assistance. Blue Shield of California Members who need immediate assistance should call the Member Services phone number (800) 393-6130 (TTY: 711).

Please go to https://news.blueshieldca.com/search?q=California+Fires for additional updates on plan information and services.

Submit One PTAN Per Voluntary Refund Check. When submitting a voluntary refund check, providers should ensure that the voluntary refund check involves claims for only one Provider Transaction Number (PTAN) or group.

Implement Operating Rules - Phase III Electronic Remittance Advice (ERA) Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT): CORE 360 Uniform Use of CARC, RARC and CAGC Rule - Update from Council for Affordable Quality Health Care (CAQH) CORE CR12302 

Quarterly Update to the NCCI PTP Edits, Version 27.3, Effective October 1, 2021.

October 2021 Quarterly ASP Medicare Part B Drug Pricing Files and Revisions to Prior Quarterly Pricing Files. CR 12342 tells you about the Average Sales Price (ASP) methodology, which CMS bases on quarterly data manufacturers submit to us.

August 19 Evaluation and Management 2021 Clarifications - After Hours

August 25 Provider Enrollment: PECOS Overview. Learn the advantages of PECOS. How it saves you time, tracks associates and applications. This session includes the PECOS questionnaire and submitting the e- signatures.

August 25 Beneficiary Forms for Medicare Part A and Part B. This webinar is intended for Medicare Part A/B Providers and will include: • Beneficiary Notices Initiative (BNI) • Medicare Outpatient Observation Notice (MOON) • Important Message from Medicare (IM) • Detailed Notice of Discharge (DND) • Hospital-Issued Notice of Noncoverage (HINN) • Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN).

August 31 Noridian Medicare Portal (NMP) Claim Denial Details and Appeals. This webinar is intended for Medicare Part A/B Providers and will include: • Claim Status • Additional Documentation Request (ADR) • Reopenings • Appeals • Message Center • Resources

Representatives Mark DeSaulnier (D-CA) and Earl L. “Buddy” Carter (R-GA), co-chairs of the Congressional Cancer Survivors Caucus, on July 13, introduced the Cancer Care Planning & Communications Act (HR4414), which would create a Medicare service for cancer care planning. The legislation would improve doctor-patient communication by enabling doctors to bill Medicare for the time they spend developing comprehensive cancer care plans, at diagnosis, when there is a change in treatment plan, and at the transition to post-treatment survivorship. When cancer patients receive a plan that includes expected treatment options and symptoms, they are better able to understand what to expect and become proactive in their own care.

The Senate Judiciary Committee voted unanimously to advance several pieces of legislation which would help rein in the cost of prescription drugs, including: Allowing the Federal Trade Commission to take action against firms that submit sham petitions in an effort to delay competition that would target pay-for-delay deals; Require the FTC to examine the drug supply chain and the role of pharmacy benefit managers, and target patent abuse through product hopping.

August 21, ANCO presents a hybrid meeting on the highlights of ASCO. ANCO’s ASCO21 Highlights will summarize the major research and treatment advancements presented at this year’s ASCO21 Virtual Meeting. The program will focus on breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, gynecologic, head and neck, lung cancers and sarcoma, as well as a Plenary: Equity: Every Patient. Every Day. Everywhere, and an Equity Panel. The faculty will place these developments in context as to their immediate clinical utility.

September 11, ANCO's Virtual Hematologic Malignancies Updates (part II of III) will be presented. Please register online no later than Thursday, September 9th.

Tonight, Tuesday, August 3, 11:59 p.m. PDT, is the deadline to submit your best new scientific research in hematology, and showcase your research in front of the brightest minds and influencers in the field of hematology at the 63rd ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition, December 11-14, in person & virtually. The abstract submission portal is now open.

Thousands of abstracts will be accepted for presentation. All accepted abstracts will be published in Blood and will be made available for in-person meeting participants in Atlanta as well as those participating via the virtual meeting platform. As a reminder, abstracts describing innovative trials in progress, immunotherapies, and emerging diagnostic tools are eligible for submission and consideration for the ASH annual meeting program. Visit the ASH website for a full list of abstract review categories, policies, and eligibility requirements.

ASH is committed to educating its members on how to become effective advocates for hematology research and practice. The Society will be hosting a new series titled the ASH Advocacy Webinar Series to shed light on how Washington really works and how policy decisions at the federal level affect hematology research, practice, and patients.

The 2021 ASH Meeting on Hematologic Malignancies will take place September 10-11, at the Hilton Chicago and online as a virtual meeting. Hear top hematology experts present cutting-edge science, provide out-of-the-box treatment approaches, and answer challenging patient care questions during topic-based “How I Treat” presentations and panel discussions. Those who register for the in-person experience will also receive complimentary access to the meeting’s virtual platform.

COA continues their Time to Screen campaign. A few marquee pieces of coverage that have come from the interviews with Patti LaBelle last week are:

USA Today: https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/health-wellness/2021/07/27/patti-labelle-advocates-cancer-screenings-time-screen-campaign-health-wellness/5374702001/.

Self Magazine: https://www.self.com/story/patti-labelle-cancer-screening

The Hill: https://thehill.com/changing-america/well-being/prevention-cures/564322-grammy-winning-patti-labelle-teams-up-with.

August 11, 9am PDT, join COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) for a virtual Advocacy Chat. The chat will feature Brenda McGarr, RN, an oncology nurse at Augusta Oncology in Augusta, GA. With more than 17 years in the field, Brenda has experience from around the field, operating as an oncology nurse navigator, inpatient nurse, case manager, and other positions. Additionally, Brenda is the CPAN Chapter Leader for Augusta Oncology, working with passionate advocates to make sure their voice is heard from Atlanta to Washington, DC. Her unique wealth of perspectives will give viewers a 360-degree view of the oncology nurse life and how they work together with other care professionals to support patients. Take a look inside the care process and gain an appreciation for the hard work these nurse professionals put in delivering excellent care to their patients.

National Comprehensive Cancer Network NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium® http://www.nccn.org/professionals/drug_compendium/content/contents.asp NCCN Guidelines® https://www.nccn.org/professionals/

Merck announced that the FDA approved KEYTRUDA^® (pembrolizumab) Injection 100 mg for the treatment of patients with locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) that is not curable by surgery or radiation. This follows the 2020 approval of KEYTRUDA to treat patients with recurrent or metastatic cSCC that is not curable by surgery or radiation.

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.