California Oncology Weekly
"An Oncologists’ Source for Timely Information"
A publication of the
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc.
April 13, 2021
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California is expecting about 90% fewer Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses California News
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Tomorrow, April 14, Part B Ask the Contractor Teleconference Noridian News
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Tomorrow, April 14, CMS Physicians Open Door Forum CMS News
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New federal rules give patients access to their full medical records. National News
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Tomorrow, April 14, Oncopeptides’ newly approved therapy for adult patients with Multiple Myeloma Industry News
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MOASC is pleased to introduce the oncologists from the University of California San Diego to the association. We look forward to lively clinical dialogue and exchanges with our new colleagues. Welcome UCSD Oncology!
Attention Practice Administrators & Managers! Are you interested in earning your Certificate in Medical Office Management in Hematology/Oncology (CMOM-HEM/ONC)? MOASC will award the first two applicants, who register for the course, a 50% discount towards the cost of the course. The purpose of the CMOM-HEM/ONC is to enhance the knowledge base of practice leaders through exceptional education. Now you can further demonstrate your skills in your chosen field with a CMOM-HEM/ONC. Created to prepare experienced leaders for greater success in oncology practice management. The sessions are all virtual and candidates can go at their own pace to complete.
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MOASC encourages members to recommend a colleague or nominate themselves for one or more of the various leadership and committee service roles. All MOASC physicians and clinicians are asked to submit nominations each year. Nominations received are compiled and reviewed by the Nominating Committee, which then makes its recommendations for elected and appointed positions.
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MOASC Programs - Save the Dates - All Times are Pacific
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May is Melanoma Awareness Month, and MOASC is presenting a clinical webinar focusing on the Treatment of Melanoma, Wednesday, April 21, 5:30pm-7:00pm.
MOASC President, Ashkan Laskari, M.D. will moderate the following panel of experts in discussion of case presentations and various treatment options.
Edward McClay, M.D., cCare, will present on Unresectable or Metastatic Melanoma.
The panel will include: Greg Daniels, M.D., UC San Diego; Omid Hamid, M.D., The Angeles Clinic, and Sherry Hsu, M.D., Kaiser Permanente.
Directed toward medical oncologists, pathologists, surgical oncologists, and other clinicians involved in the management of cancer patients, this meeting is multifaceted, providing ongoing clinical education through community outreach, increase Melanoma Awareness, a great opportunity to learn from experts and network with colleagues. Specifically, attendees are asked to submit questions and cases for discussion with experts in the field; hear the latest clinical trial data and apply it to your patients; and consider real-world scenarios and how to mitigate barriers to treatment. This event is complementary to MOASC Members but registration is required.
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Thursday, April 29 at 5:30pm, MOASC members are encouraged to attend the webinar, Applying Clinical Evidence to Practice: DOPTELET® (avatrombopag) for Adult Patients with Chronic Immune Thrombocytopenia (ITP) Who Have Had an Insufficient Response to a Previous Treatment, presented by Zahra Pakbaz, M.D. To register email Jolie Williams at jolie.williams@dova.com or call 310-339-9221 by April 26, 2021. Sponsored by DOVA Pharmaceuticals.
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Thursday, May 06, 2021 at 5:30pm, MOASC members are encouraged to attend a webinar to Learn More About an FDA-Approved Treatment for Metastatic Triple-Negative Breast Cancer, presented by: Rena D. Callahan, M.D., Assistant Clinical Professor of Medicine, UCLA. Dr. Callahan will discuss: the clinical landscape of metastatic TNBC; appropriate populations for a metastatic TNBC therapy; and safety and efficacy of a therapy in patients with metastatic TNBC. Sponsored by Gilead Sciences, Inc.
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MJH Life Sciences brings more southern California CBPP programs to you!
May 11th Treatment of Prostate Cancer presented by: Dr. David Quinn (USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hospital and Clinics) and on May 13th Treatment of Multiple Myeloma presented by: Dr. Joseph Mikhael (Translational Genomics Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center).
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Saturday, May 15, MOASC is partnering with Dr Neil Love and his CME organization, Research To Practice (RTP), for a daylong, live educational event. Similar in format to RTP’s Year in Review live series, the virtual webinar will follow a multi-tumor approach with 14 expert clinical investigators reviewing current management strategies and recent advances in breast cancer, AML/MDS, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphomas, gastrointestinal cancers, genitourinary cancers, lung cancer and multiple myeloma. In lieu of traditional didactic lectures, the participating clinical investigator panelists will review recent data as well as review cases provided by MOASC clinicians.
In preparation for this event, Dr. Love and RTP would like to invite MOASC community oncologists to participate in a case-based recorded 60-minute Zoom interview with Dr. Love, which will be utilized during the live activity. There is an honorarium for your time.
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MOASC held its Annual Oncology Summit on March 27. Nationally recognized speakers from City of Hope, UCLA and UCSD discussed Exciting Advances in Oncology.
MOASC’s great appreciation is extended to our meeting sponsors: Eisai, EMD Serono, Incyte, Merck, Regeneron, Tempus and Seagen for their support of this event.
Special thanks to our Platinum Sponsors for their continued support of MOASC’s programs and initiatives: AstraZeneca, BeiGene, Bristol Myers Squibb, Grail, Inc., Oncopeptides, Pfizer, Puma Biotechnology and Takeda.
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MOASC Professional Career Board
MOASC has created a database of Oncologist who seek to practice in California. The database also includes other practice professionals as pharmacists, advanced care professionals, nurses and non-clinical staff. Current application in que is:
- 3rd year Fellow who will graduate in October 2021, recommended by his director as, “… an outstanding clinician, who has trained under my supervision in clinic over the past year and whom I serve as clinical research mentor.”
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City of Hope Medical Group seeks Medical Oncologists to join their expanding network at the following locations, immediately:
Antelope Valley/Lancaster: *open to fellows
Mission Hills: *1-2 years of experience outside of fellowship
West Covina/Glendora: *2-3 years of experience outside of fellowship
City of Hope Medical Group seeks nationally recognized Medical Oncology physician leaders for their Irvine Campus, opening in August 2022, with expertise in:
Women’s Cancer (Breast); Genitourinary (GU); Gastrointestinal (GI); Thoracic & Upper Aerodigestive. Interested candidates must submit an official application via the City of Hope Physician Careers Internet site: PhysicianCareers.
Office Manager needed for a solo medical oncology practice in the Pasadena Area. Experienced professionals may email your resume to Dr. Cynthia Martel at cynthiamartel@sbcglobal.net.
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California is expecting about 90% fewer Johnson & Johnson vaccine doses this week, even as the state expands eligibility to any resident over age 16 on April 15.
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As the California coronavirus variant continues to spread, new research suggests that several vaccines should continue to provide an effective defense against it. The findings were published Wednesday in the New England Journal of Medicine.
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Noridian Medicare Portal Eligibility Enhancements Available April 3, 2021
Effective April 3, 2021 the Noridian Medicare Portal (NMP) has been updated to provide additional information to the Eligibility Inquiry responses.
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April 14, Part B Ask the Contractor Teleconference (ACT) will include: Appeals, Claims Processing, Electronic Data Interchange Support Services (EDISS), Medical Review (MR), Provider Contact Center (PCC), Provider Enrollment, Provider Outreach and Education (POE), and System Support. Noridian representatives from various departments will be available to address your questions.
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Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 7:00am- COVID-19 Medicare Part B Advanced Payment, Repayment and Recoupment Process
If you requested 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.
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Thursday, April 15, 2021 at 10:00am- COVID-19 Telehealth Services for Part B Providers
During this session you will learn about Telehealth services during COVID-19. CMS will provide current updates and address your questions.
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May 12, Differences Between Sole Proprietor and Sole Owner webinar will be presented. This event includes: Provider Enrollment, Sole Owner Enrolling in Medicare - Part B, Sole Proprietor Enrolling in Medicare - Part B
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Signature Requirements Webinar - May 18, 2021
Event includes: Overview and Purpose, Valid Signatures, Signature Guidelines, Signature Log and Attestation Statement, Common Signature Errors, and Resources
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Quarterly Update to the NCCI PTP Edits, Version 27.2, Effective July 1, 2021 CR12226
CR 12226 provides the quarterly update to the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Procedure-to-Procedure (PTP) edits. Please be sure your billing staffs know of the updates.
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Update to the Manual for Telephone Services, PA Supervision, and Medical Record Documentation for Part B Services CR11862
CR 11862 informs you about updates to Chapter 15 of the Medicare Benefit Policy Manual for Physician Supervision for Physician Assistant (PA) Services and Medical Record Documentation for Part B services. These updates clarify existing manual language and bring the manual in line with current payment policy for PA supervision and medical record documentation for Part B services.
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CMS News
Tomorrow, Wednesday, April 14, is the next CMS Physicians, Nurses & Allied Health Professionals Open Door Forum. This call will be a Conference Call only, please dial-in at least 15 minutes before 11am Pacific start time to 1-888-455-1397 passcode: 8604468. Discussions will include, Open Payments Pre-publication Review and Dispute Reminder.
Persons participating by phone do not need to RSVP.
Instant Replay is an audio recording of this call that can be accessed by dialing 1-800-388-4923 beginning 1 hours after the call has ended. The recording expires April 16, 2021, 8:59pm Pacific.
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New federal rules give patients access to their full medical records, including clinicians' notes, which advocates say will empower patients and improve provider-patient communication. But some warn that descriptions of clinical assessments are easily misinterpreted and clinicians will become overly circumspect.
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You are cordially invited to attend Webinar on Prolonged Services: Should You Bill? There is no charge for this webinar, presented by Bobbi Buell on April 15, 10am Pacific (11am MST, 12pm CST, 1 pm EST). This webinar will be a quick look at all the billing possibilities (or not) of Prolonged Services. Billing these codes always entails risk and you will be provided with the latest parameters for all the long visit options.
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Affiliate Association News |
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ANCO News
ANCO in collaboration with Noridian will be hosting a 1 hour webinar on Thursday, April 15th at 12pm on Medicare in 2021: E&M Office Changes, Telehealth Status and Other Changes
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ANCO's three part series of Hematologic Malignancies Updates: Leukemias, Lymphomas, & Myelomas 2021 will kick off online on May 15. Faculty will present the latest research on treatment modalities for hematologic malignancies—leukemias, lymphomas, and myeloma—along with case studies for these diagnoses.
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April 28 at 8:59pm PT is the deadline for early registration to the ASCO virtual Annual Meeting, June 4-8. For the best rates, register now! When participating in the virtual ASCO Annual Meeting we invite you to visit MOASC’s virtual booth.
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COA News
Watch this powerful radio exposé on PBMs from Philadelphia’s NPR station, in collaboration with COA. Though long, it is worth listening to the impact PBMs have on the delivery of oncology care. The start of the story dates back to 2019 when MOASC member and COA Board member, Ravi Rao, M.D., California Cancer Associates for Research & Excellence, Fresno, shared the horrific story of his patient’s trials of working through the PBM labyrinth, influencing the patient’s early purchase of a burial plot because she did not think she would survive the PBM abuse. The story was covered by the Fresno Bee and has led to multiple feature stories, including this radio exposé. If you have a PBM Horror Story to share, please contact Nicolas Ferreyros, Director of Communications, nferreyros@coacancer.org
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MOASC acknowledges and thanks Gilead Sciences, Inc. as an annual sponsor. Please welcome and THANK them for supporting your organization, when they call or e-mail you.
Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced that the FDA approved Trodelvy® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) for adult patients with unresectable locally advanced or metastatic triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) who have received two or more prior systemic therapies, at least one of them for metastatic disease.
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Incyte Corporation invites you AND your patients to attend any four of their live webinars about myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). These disease education virtual talks are geared for patients diagnosed with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), including: Polycythemia vera, Essential thrombocythemia, Myelofibrosis. The program on 4/28 includes a nutrition talk and MPN. Hear from an Incyte Oncology Clinical Nurse Educator about MPNs, learn and ask questions about your condition. You will receive a workbook of the presentation in the mail to help you organize your thoughts. When you register, Incyte will send you a kit with a workbook, educational resources, and accessories to help raise awareness about MPNs. Have questions or want to register? Register today through any of the below most convenient for you. info@mpnpatientevent.com ; MPNpatientevent.com; MPNwebinars.com or dial 919-256-2479.
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Kite, a Gilead Company, announces the assignment of a product‐specific Q-code for TECARTUS® (brexucabtagene autoleucel, NDC #71287-0219-01) Q2053, effective date of April 1, 2021. TECARTUS was approved by the FDA on July 24, 2020 as a CD19-directed genetically modified autologous T cell immunotherapy indicated for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory mantle cell lymphoma (MCL). Please see Important Safety Information for TECARTUS.
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Merck announced the FDA approval of KEYTRUDA® (pembrolizumab) for the treatment of patients with locally advanced or metastatic esophageal or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) (tumors with epicenter 1 to 5 centimeters above the GEJ) carcinoma that is not amenable to surgical resection or definitive chemoradiation in combination with platinum- and fluoropyrimidine-based chemotherapy.
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April 14, Oncopeptides cordially invites MOASC members to their upcoming live broadcast of a newly approved therapy for adult patients with Multiple Myeloma who have received at least four prior lines of therapy and triple-class refractory. Discussions will feature Dr. Joseph Mikhael and Dr. Joshua Richter.
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Pfizer Oncology announced the FDA approval for the inclusion of epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer to the indications of ZIRABEV® (bevacizumab-bvzr) and approval of the 150 mg single-dose vial of TRAZIMERA® (trastuzumab-qyyp). TRAZIMERA (trastuzumab-qyyp) is a biosimilar to Herceptin®Ϯ (trastuzumab). As of March 10th, 2021 this new presentation is available for commercial sale. There were also updates to align the ZIRABEV USPI with that of the reference product, AVASTIN incorporating revisions related to wound healing and the addition of adverse drug reactions, arterial aneurysms, dissections, and rupture to the Post Marketing Experience section. ZIRABEV is currently the only bevacizumab biosimilar to be granted approval for epithelial ovarian, fallopian tube, and primary peritoneal cancer indications.
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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.
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