California Oncology Weekly
"An Oncologists’ Source for Timely Information"
A publication of the
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc.
April 27, 2021
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This Thursday, April 29, training to protect MICRA. California News
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Looking for patients willing to share their stories. COA News
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TOMORROW! Wednesday, April 28, live webinar MPN. Industry News
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MOASC encourages all hematology/oncology practice administrators & managers to earn their certification for Hematology/Oncology Medical Office Professionals. MOASC will award the first two applicants, who register for the course, a 50% discount towards the cost of the course. The Certificate in Medical Office Manager-Hematology/Oncology is the premier certification for administrators working in this specialty. Gain new skills to become a more knowledgeable and confident leader, through exceptional education. Now you can further demonstrate your skills in your chosen field. 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. This two-part certification program teaches advanced concepts for the administration and management of policies, risks, and financial responsibilities.
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MOASC Board of Directors 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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Attention MOASC Members:
MOASC in interested to know of practices, medical centers and hospitals who have had “site of care” issues with Aetna, Cigna and United HealthCare. Please contact moasc@moasc.org Thank you.
We have been made aware that various payers are beginning to implement policies that place step-edits for Intravenous Iron Therapy drugs. The step-edits force patients to try and fail on older treatments before having access to newer, more effective treatments.
Have you experienced this? If so, how is this affecting your practice?
MOASC Member is donating 5 Chemo. chairs and 4 Chemo. beds and is selling a Cell-Dyn Emerald (Abbott) CBC machine with printer, purchased in 2018. If you are interested in these items, please contact Afag Murad-Ali 310-824-4133 for more information.
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MOASC Programs - Save the Dates - All Times are Pacific
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April 29, 5:30pm, MOASC members are encouraged to attend a webinar on 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. Associate Professor, Division of Hematology-Oncology Department of Medicine, UCI School of Medicine. To register email Jolie Williams at jolie.williams@dova.com or call 310-339-9221. Sponsored by DOVA Pharmaceuticals.
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Targeted Oncology’s sister franchise CURE® is hosting the fifteenth annual Extraordinary Healer® Award for Oncology Nursing Recognition Event on Thursday, April 29, 2021 at 3:30 p.m. PST. CURE will be honoring and expressing their heartfelt gratitude to this year’s winners and finalists of the 2021 Extraordinary Healer® Award for Oncology Nursing, and the Finest Hour Award. These extraordinary nurses, and all of the nominees, continue to bring hope and healing to patients with cancer and their loved ones. This year’s recognition event is taking place in conjunction with the Annual ONS Congress.
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May 06, 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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On May 11, MJH Life Sciences brings you the Treatment of Prostate Cancer, presented by Dr. David Quinn (USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hospital and Clinics). On May 13th the Treatment of Multiple Myeloma will be presented by Dr. Joseph Mikhael (Translational Genomics Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center).
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MOASC, once again, is partnering with Dr. Neil Love and his education group, Research To Practice (RTP), for a daylong, fully virtual event, on Saturday, May 15, 2021 from 7:30 AM – 3:30 PM PT. Similar in format to Dr Love’s Year in Review live series, the virtual webinar (with almost 7 hours of CME/MOC-and NCPD-accredited programming) will follow a multi-tumor approach with 14 expert clinical investigators reviewing current management strategies and recent advances in breast cancer, AML/MD, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphomas, gastrointestinal cancers, genitourinary cancers, lung cancer and multiple myeloma. In lieu of traditional didactic lectures, the participating faculty will review recent data as well as review cases provided by MOASC clinicians.
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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 applications in que:
- 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 oncology supports Assembly Bill 32 Telehealth (AB 32). AB 32 would allow for California patients with cancer to continue receiving necessary care through telemedicine. Committee passage of AB 32 would be a big step forward in assuring patients can continue receiving care they need. Contact your Assembly Member today to encourage them to pass this bill.
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A reminder that the first virtual Community Ambassador training, to protect MICRA, will be held Thursday, April 29 from 3:00 pm to 4:30 pm PT. The training is tailored for organizational leaders or their designees and will provide an overview of the ballot measure, key messaging and engagement strategies. Community Ambassadors, serving as leaders within your organizations and local circles of influence to help educate coworkers, friends, and community members about the importance of protecting MICRA ahead of the 2022 election, will be essential to our work in defeating this harmful measure. Additional trainings will be held throughout the year if you are unable to attend on the 29th. Please contact Protect MICRA Campaign at info@protectmicra.org if you have any questions about serving as a Community Ambassador or the Protect MICRA campaign. We will continue to keep you updated as the campaign progresses, and we thank you again for your continued commitment to protecting MICRA and ensuring access to care for every Californian.
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Billing and Coding: MolDX: Breast Cancer Assay: Prosigna - R2 - Effective April 22, 2021
This coverage article has been revised and published for notice under contract numbers: 01112 (NCA), 01182 (SCA), 01212 (AS, GU, HI, NMI), and 01312 (NV).
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Billing and Coding: MolDX: Prolaris Prostate Cancer Genomic Assay for Men with Favorable Intermediate Risk Disease - R2 - Effective January 01, 2021
This coverage article has been revised and published for notice under contract numbers: 01112 (NCA), 01182 (SCA), 01212 (AS, GU, HI, NMI), and 01312 (NV).
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MolDX: Breast Cancer Assay: Prosigna - R5 - Effective April 22, 2021
This Local Coverage Determination (LCD) has been revised under contractor numbers: 01112 (NCA), 01182 (SCA), 01212 (AS, GU, HI, and NMI), and 01312 (NV).
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Billing and Coding: Prostate Cancer Genomic Classifier Assay for Men with Localized Disease - R2 - Effective January 01, 2021
This coverage article has been revised and published for notice under contract numbers: 01112 (NCA), 01182 (SCA), 01212 (AS, GU, HI, NMI), and 01312 (NV).
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July 1 is the effective date of the Quarterly Update to the National Correct Coding Initiative Procedure-To-Procedure edits, Version 27.2. CR12226. Please be sure your billing staffs know of the updates.
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April 28, COVID-19 Vaccine Administration and Billing for Part B Providers. This webinar will review the coverage, coding, and billing guidelines for COVID-19 vaccine administration and billing.
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April 29, 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. During this webinar, you will be able to review the repayment and recoupment process and address your questions.
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Local and National Coverage Determination (LCD/NCD) Webinar - May 11, 2021
This event includes: Overview, National Coverage Determination (NCD), Local Coverage Determination (LCD), Medicare Coverage Database (MCD), and Resources
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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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May 18, Signature Requirements webinar, includes: Overview and Purpose, Valid Signatures, Signature Guidelines, Signature Log and Attestation Statement, Common Signature Errors, and Resources.
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Radiation Oncology Webinar - May 20, 2021
This event includes: Radiation Oncology Overview and Billing, Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs), Radiation Treatment Management, Noteworthy Information, Resources
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The FDA is holding a three-day meeting this week to review the safety and efficacy of cancer drugs approved through an accelerated pathway to determine whether the drugs have lived up to their makers' promises. The FDA will hear from Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck and Roche, and a panel of experts will advise the agency whether to revoke any indications for Opdivo, Keytruda and Tecentriq.
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House Democrats plan to release portions of legislation targeting drug prices, including a measure that would permit HHS to negotiate drug prices, according to a senior aide. Lawmakers hope to see the provisions included in President Joe Biden's American Families Plan, which is expected to be released this week.
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HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra renewed the COVID-19 public health emergency (PHE) for an additional 90 days, maintaining the regulatory flexibilities and enhanced payments designed to improve providers’ ability to respond to COVID-19 PHE.
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90% of voters say it is important for their local community to have “safety net” hospitals, with 60% saying that these hospitals are very important. The Morning Consult ran a poll, on behalf of the Alliance for Integrity and Reform of 340B (AIR340B), focusing on support for, and impacts of, the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
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National Cancer Survivors Day® 2021 is on Sunday, June 6! Register your event now at ncsd.org/register to unlock access to the NCSD Speakers Bureau Roster, as well as other exclusive resources and materials. This year, because of COVID-19, many organizations are opting for virtual or hybrid events to commemorate NCSD and celebrate cancer survivors. If you want your NCSD 2021 event to be a success, you need to create the same level of engagement and value as you would with a traditional in-person NCSD event.
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Affiliate Association News |
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ANCO's three part series of Hematologic Malignancies Updates: Leukemias, Lymphomas, & Myelomas 2021 will kick off online 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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ASH News
April 27, at 2:00pm-PT-ASH Telehealth Webinar. Join the American Society of Hematology (ASH) and their ASH Committee on Practice members, Drs. Colleen Morton and Jean Connors, to hear on what has changed at their institutions over the past year. Attendees will also hear from Dr. Steven Fein, who has developed a unique practice to provide inpatient telehealth services across state lines. The webinar will be moderated by Committee on Practice Chair, Dr. Chancellor Donald.
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COA News
COA is partnering with CancerCare on a project to create a toolkit to help employers make better Rx coverage decisions and they need our help. As part of the project, CancerCare is creating video and written case studies about people who have had their treatments interrupted, delayed, or otherwise compromised due to utilization management practices. They are looking for patients willing to share their stories on camera and in print. They currently have a few good examples for issues such as non-medical switching and formulary exclusions, but are specifically looking for a patient who has had to deal with step therapy, and someone who has not filled a prescription or followed their dosing instructions due to high out of pocket costs.
If you have a patient suggestion please contact Nick Ferreyros, Director of Communications at
This is a fast timeline, as CancerCare is hoping to film the stories in May. Thank you.
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NCCN News
NCCN has published updates to the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) and the NCCN Drugs & Biologics Compendium (NCCN Compendium®) for Head and Neck Cancers. These NCCN Guidelines® are currently available as Version 2.2021.
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TOMORROW, April 28, 2021! Incyte Corporation invites you AND your patients to attend their live webinar about myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN). This disease education virtual is geared for patients diagnosed with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), including: polycythemia vera, essential thrombocythemia, myelofibrosis. The program tomorrow, 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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ADC Therapeutics informed MOASC that the FDA approved ZYNLONTA™ (loncastuximab tesirine-lpyl) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed or refractory large B-cell lymphoma after two or more lines of systemic therapy, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) not otherwise specified, DLBCL arising from low-grade lymphoma, and high-grade B-cell lymphoma. Full Prescribing Information
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Exact Sciences informs MOASC that they have introduced the ONCOTYPE MAPTM PAN-CANCER TISSUE TEST, a rapid, comprehensive pan-cancer tissue test that helps guide therapy selection for patients with solid tumors. Utilizing minimal tumor tissue, the test identifies actionable genomic alterations within 3-5 business days*, allowing physicians to discuss treatment options with their patients in a timely manner.
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Gilead Sciences, Inc. announced 2 new FDA approvals for TRODELVY® (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy), the first antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) that binds to Trop-2 for mTNBC and mUC.1 Patient access and reimbursement support for TRODELVY, including J-code J9317, is available. Please see full Prescribing Information.
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Incyte presents three live disease education webinars for patients diagnosed with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), on May 5, 11 & 25. Please share with your patients and peers.
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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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