MOASC and ANCO (Association of Northern California Oncologists) represent thousands of patients in California who are fighting cancer and the care teams that treat them. Together, the two associations have sent a joint letter to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to encourage them to amend AFL 21-08.7, to protect California’s cancer patients who are more vulnerable to complications from infection with SARS-CoV2. The current active CDPH policy allows health facilities in the state, at critical staff shortage, to have health care providers return to work with patients without isolation after testing positive for COVID if asymptomatic.

MOASC Programs - Save the Dates - All Times are Pacific

February 9, 2022 at 12:30pm PST, join in MOASC’s LunchTime Series, Encore Presentation, Improving the Patient Collections Experience. PayGround’s Patient-First platform enables patients (and their dependents) to manage ALL bills in one place from across ALL their providers, helping them understand their responsibility while providing multiple payment methods to fulfill that responsibility. This leads to an average 23% patient collections improvement and 6.7 days average reduction in A/R days.

PayGround has already been adopted by multiple MOASC members and the average yearly savings is estimated to be just over $10,000 in the first year.

February 23, 2022- MOASC presents their Lung Cancer Series Webinar on the Treatment of KRAS Mutated Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer. Join Hatim Husain, MD, University of California San Diego, Jonathan Riess, M.D., University of California, Davis, and Sukhmani Padda, M.D., Cedars-Sinai Medical Center for a lively discussion. This is also a great opportunity to learn from key opinion leaders and network with colleagues. Submit your questions and cases, in advance, for discussion with key opinion leaders in the field. Hear the latest clinical trial data, apply it to your patients, consider real-world scenarios and how to mitigate barriers to treatment.

March 26, 2022 - MOASC’s 7^th Annual Oncology Summit & Research Symposium at the Hyatt Regency in Huntington Beach. This LIVE Meeting will follow a multi-tumor approach with nationally recognized speakers, which will review personalized cancer care and current clinical trials in Breast, Gastrointestinal, Genitourinary, Lung, CAR-T/Transplant and Myeloma. This will be a great opportunity to learn from experts and network with colleagues.

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There is an expedited request to help recruit sites for a CML trial in the US. Oncacare is a global oncology research delivery organization based in London. Oncacare is passionate about transforming cancer research to advance new treatments. Their strong capabilities enable them to bring together patients, sites and pharmaceutical groups to present a unique solution to the cancer trials industry. The Oncacare global site network provides opportunities for patients and oncologists to advance the development of cancer treatments more quickly and efficiently. Oncacare is a change agent for cancer clinical research. Oncacare is building an Oncology Research Network in the United States. Please contact Debbie Taylor, Senior Director, Site Network Development, Clinical Research Service, Tel: +1 (267) 827-3387, Mobile: +1 (480) 251-4241 Deborah.Taylor@oncacare.com, www.oncacare.com

MOASC Clinical Trial Database is on the MOASC website at www.moasc.org

Yesterday, California lawmakers declined to vote on AB 1400, a high-profile effort to overhaul California’s healthcare system, putting an end to a proposal that would have guaranteed medical coverage to every resident by levying billions in new taxes. AB 1400 would have created a publicly financed healthcare system called CalCare, which could cost between $314 billion and $391 billion in state and federal funds, according to a legislative analysis. The Progressive Caucus of the California Democratic Party threatened to withhold endorsements from any Assembly member that did not vote for AB 1400. Assembly Bill 1400 by Assemblyman Ash Kalra (D-San Jose) did not have the necessary votes to move forward ahead of a key deadline Monday. Instead of forcing a vote that could be politically damaging for some of his Democratic colleagues, Kalra opted to let the bill die, angering the California Nurses Assn. that has championed single-payer for years. But the state's largest association of doctors, the California Medical Association, had opposed the bill. California already allows children and young adults living in the country illegally to qualify for Medi-Cal, while Californians 50 and older will be eligible beginning May 1.

Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers have worked out a deal to bring back paid covid-19 sick leave. The agreement would provide up two weeks of leave to full-time workers at businesses with at least 26 employees. It would cover workers who are sick as well as those caring for loved ones with Covid. The agreement will be retroactive to Jan. 1 and extend through Sept. 30.

The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) issued an All Plan Letter (APL) to its regulated health plans, implementing a California Medical Association (CMA)-sponsored telehealth law (AB 457) that took effect on January 1, 2022. The APL clarifies plans’ responsibilities under the statute.

CMA has published a Telehealth Policy Update that summarizes what has already been done and provides some next steps that physicians can watch for throughout 2022.

Noridian will make system updates to allow additional diagnosis codes with procedure codes 0242U, 0239U and 0037U. Noridian determined additional diagnosis codes are allowed per NCD 90.2, Next Generation Sequencing, based on the instruction in CMS Change Request 12124, “International Classification of Diseases, 10th Revision (ICD-10) and Other Coding Revisions to National Coverage Determination (NCDs)--July 2021.” This change is for dates of service on or after 07/01/21.

Incorrect Coinsurance Percentage Applied for Drugs and Biologicals. The MCS system maintainer has notified Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) of an issue where the copayment amount applied to drug and biological claims for any date of service finalized on or after 10/27/21, may have been applied at .2 percent instead of 20 percent.

2 additional telehealth services modifiers for CY2022 have been updated. Though effective 01/01/2022, implementation will be 04/01/2022. Other changes have been made to the MPFS for telehealth, as well.

Medicare Signature Guidelines – February 3, 2022. Medicare providers must verify that a legible signature is present on all medical records before it is filed in the patient’s permanent record. Unsigned documentation or lack of attestation will result in claims denials. Learn the specifics on signature requirements for Medicare providers and why it is so important to comply. 

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services released their annual update to the Medicare & Medicaid Spending by Drug datasets with data for 2020. The datasets focus on average spending per dosage unit for prescription drugs in the Medicaid, Medicare Part B, and Medicare Part D programs, and track the change in average spending per dosage unit over time. The 2020 data and all previous years of the Medicare & Medicaid Spending by Drug data are available. Below are two of them which may be of interest.

Applications for ANCO’s Travel Awards to Fellows and Young Clinicians to support attendance at the ASCO Annual Meeting, ASH Annual Meeting, or other national oncology meeting in 2022 are now being accepted. The deadline for submission is March 31. Awards will be announced by April 30. 

Saturday morning, February 12, 2022, ANCO, with the organizing committee of the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium and Encore Medical Education, will host the Best of San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium Northern California (Best of SABCS West Coast) at The InterContinental San Francisco. Hope S. Rugo, M.D., UC San Francisco, is the Regional Director for Best of SABCS West Coast. Live Streaming option is available.

March 11-13, 2022, the 22nd Multidisciplinary Management of Cancers: A Case-based Approach returns to the Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa. The meeting is sponsored by the Association of Northern California Oncologists, Stanford Cancer Institute, UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center. Registration is now open for HCP for in person and virtual attendance.

The 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting is being held live in Chicago on June 3-7, 2022. Early conference registration deadline is April 17, 2022 at 8:59pm PDT.

Mark your calendar to attend the latest webinar in the ASH Precision Hematology Series on February 28! This series is designed to provide clinicians and researchers in hematology foundational information on the latest technologies available for data acquisition, diagnosis, and decision-making for hematologic diseases. All webinars from this series are available on ASH Academy On Demand.

In late December, representatives from ASH and the American College of Cardiology (ACC) met with CVS Caremark to discuss the pharmacy benefit manager’s decision to prefer rivaroxaban over other direct acting oral anticoagulants (DOACs) and its potential impact on patients. CVS Caremark conveyed that while rivaroxaban is preferred in this plan, prescribers can request a formulary exception when clinically appropriate. To help patients avoid gaps in therapy, CVS Caremark asks prescribers to consider the following:

Start preparing your application, available today, February 1, 2022, for the ASH Medical Educators Institute. The ASH Medical Educators Institute (MEI) is a year-long program, which includes a webinar series and in-person workshop, that develops future leaders in hematology education by providing a "boot camp" in teaching techniques, medical education scholarship, and career developent.. Review the application process and eligibility requirements

Have you registered for the 2022 COA Conference, yet? Save your seat. Reserve your room for a discount through February 20^th. On March 17-18, oncology professionals from around the country will gather at the Gaylord Palms Hotel in Kissimmee, Florida for the best oncology conference in the country.

February 4 – 6, 2022, 4am – 9am PST, 19^th Annual Winter Lung Cancer Conference will be held in-person at Eden Roc Miami Beach, Miami Beach, FL. In partnership with MOASC, CURE’s sister franchise, Physician’s Education Resource (PER) is presenting this live & virtual, CME opportunity with a 35% discounted registration for MOASC physicians. Program chairs: Rogerio C. Lilenbaum, MD, Mark A. Socinski, MD, Julie R. Brahmer, MD, MSc, FASCO.

The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review last week released a draft evidence report assessing the comparative clinical effectiveness and value of plinabulin (BeyondSpring Pharmaceuticals) and trilaciclib (Cosela™, G1 Therapeutics) for the prevention of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia and other myelosuppressive effects. 

Myelodysplastic Syndromes Version 3.2022 has been updated and published to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology.

NCCN 2022 Annual Conference will be virtual Thursday, March 31, 2022 – Saturday, April 2, 2022

AstraZeneca (Platinum Sponsor) is leading a revolution in oncology to redefine cancer care. AstraZeneca have a bold ambition to provide cures for cancer in every form. AstraZeneca follows the science to understand cancer and all its complexities to discover develop and deliver life-changing treatments and increase the potential to save the lives of people around the world. Midex (anastrozole); Calquence (acalabrutinib); Casodex; Cosudex (bicalutamide); Enhertu (trastuzumab deruxtecan); Faslodex (fulvestrant); Imfinzi (durvalumab); Iressa (gefitinib);Koselugo (selumetinib); Lynparza (olaparib); Tagrisso (osimertinib); Zoladex (goserelin acetate implant)

Grail, Inc. (Platinum Sponsor) is a healthcare company focused on saving lives and improving health by pioneering new technologies for early cancer detection. We have built a multi-disciplinary organization of scientists, engineers, and physicians and we are using the power of next-generation sequencing (NGS), population-scale clinical studies, and state-of-the-art computer science and data science to overcome one of medicine’s greatest challenges. The Galleri test has shown the ability to detect multiple types of cancers through a single blood draw. In addition to Galleri, Grail is developing solutions to help accelerate cancer diagnoses, blood-based detection for minimal residual disease, and other post-diagnostic applications.

Merck (Gold Sponsor) their mission is to deliver breakthrough innovations that extend and improve the lives of people with cancer. Merck is working to prevent cancer where they can and give patients more ways to treat their cancer, more quality in their lives and more time. Their team of researchers and scientists brings together a deep understanding of genomics, biology and the immune system to advance the way we fight cancer. Keytruda (pembrolizumab).

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.