- The California legislative session ends this Friday, August 28th. Send your letter of opposition to SB 1383 TODAY! SB1383 requires an employer with 5 employees to provide a 12-week mandatory, job protected, leave of absence under the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). The leave provides qualifying employees with 12 weeks of job protected leave during a 12-month period for his or her own medical condition or the medical condition of his or her spouse, child or parent, or for the birth, adoption or foster care placement of a child. The federal equivalent of CFRA is FMLA. CFRA and FMLA leave normally run together, so the total time taken is a maximum of 3 months. So far, SB 1383 has not come up for a vote on the Assembly floor yet. But, we need to continue our efforts over the next week to make sure it does not pass. Please reach out to your Assembly members again and urge them to vote NO on SB 1383. They must hear from you! Click the link below to log in and send your message:

https://www.votervoice.net/BroadcastLinks/r18D893BZOZcz5j79kTPmw

- The California Technical Assistance Program (CTAP) that helps you meet Meaningful Use and earn federal incentive dollars is coming to an end this September. CMS allows 90 day reporting for both MU and CQM submission for both Program Years 2020 and 2021. Because of that flexibility, 2020 Stage 3 attestations are eligible for submission now. Attest soon as applications are being processed timely and incentive funds distributed quickly. Contact your CalHIPSO Technical Assistance Representative today or CalHIPSO directly at deeanne@calhipso.org.

- The California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA) has extended a waiver that temporarily removes the ratios for physicians supervising nurse practitioners and physician assistants. Physicians can continue to supervise the number of NPs or PAs they can competently and confidently supervise without a statutory ratio in place. Department of Consumer Affairs extends waiver relaxing health care workforce rules

- Sandra Shewry, MPH, MSW, has been named acting director of the California Department of Public Health by Governor Newsom. Ms. Shewry is vice president of External Engagement for California Health Care Foundation.

- In its proposed 2021 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, CMS indicated it is moving forward with the overhaul of the E&M office visit coding, documentation and payment system. The California Medical Association opposes the payment cuts to the non-primary care specialties while appreciating CMS’ proposal to increase payment for office visits. CMA joins provider coalition to halt Medicare payment cuts.

- Governor Newsom may have issued a statewide mask order in June to protect against COVID-19, but whether you could be fined for not wearing a face covering depends a lot on where you live. Taking a stroll down Rodeo Drive in affluent Beverly Hills? A code enforcement officer could slap you with a $100 fine. In Compton, you’ll get a warning first, then a fine of $500 for a second offense. Los Angeles County, home to more than 10 million people, plans to start fining noncompliant businesses at the end of August; the county has shuttered 95 businesses for failing to obey the county’s mask and social distancing orders.

- Medicare Jurisdiction E Part B Updates

- Upcoming Educational Events - The schedules of region-specific events, webinars and training are JEA, JEB, JAF, and JFB

- NEW ABN form will be mandatory effective August 31, 2020. The renewed form and instructions may be found at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/BNI/ABN. Read the complete update.

- ABN of Noncoverage Webinar, October 8, 2020. This event includes: Advance Beneficiary Notice of Noncoverage (ABN) basics, ABN completion, ABN Tips, ABN Resources, Noteworthy Information Read the complete update

- Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Part B Billing Webinar on October 15, 2020 includes: MSP Part B Billing Options, Payments and Calculations, MSP Overpayment Process, Forms and Noridian Medicare Portal (NMP), Scenarios and Avoiding Delays, and References Read the complete update

- Quarterly Update for CLFS and Laboratory Services Subject to Reasonable Charge Payment CR11937 Read the complete update

- TOMORROW! August 26, don’t miss MOASC's LunchTime Series Teleconference on "2021 Evaluation and Management Changes,” 12:30pm-Pacific, presented by Allison Hirschorn, ASCO Senior Coding and Reimbursement Specialist. As of January 1, 2021, there will be significant changes to the office and outpatient Evaluation and Management (E&M) services for both new and established patients.  Practices, physicians, and staff must be aware of the modifications to ensure a successful transition next year and avoid any disruption in reimbursement. Register with the MOASC Office at moasc@moasc.org.

- The MOASC Office has received information from a Member regarding the required "fail first" policy of United Healthcare applied to IV iron infusions. UnitedHealthcare, has an authorization policy stating that Injectafer may only be used after a failed trial of another product. If you have received denials from commercial health plans for failed trial of another product before use of preferred drug, please contact the MOASC Office at moasc@moasc.org. MOASC is looking at taking this up with the insurers. Thank you for your help.

- As California’s wildfire season is well underway, rolling blackouts leave thousands without power, and hurricanes Laura & Marco batter the Gulf coast, we want to remind you of MOASC’s Oncology Patient Emergency Network (OPEN). Created for patients, their care providers and physicians, in the event of an emergency, to provide continuity of care for displaced cancer patients actively receiving treatment, provide access to alternative physicians, have medications available at alternative physician’s office, less stress dealing with insurance companies, provide “wallet card” with critical diagnostic and treatment information. We encourage you to participate. Please go to www.open-central.com for more information or moasc@moasc.org.

- MOASC Member City of Hope Seeks a Medical Oncologist to Join the Melanoma & Skin Cancer Care Team. The Department of Medical Oncology & Therapeutics Research at City of Hope National Medical Center is seeking an Associate Clinical Professor level Medical Oncologist, board-certified/eligible in Internal Medicine and Medical Oncology with additional experience in all aspects of Melanoma and Skin Cancer, including treatment, prevention, research, and clinical trials. Click here for more details. Interested candidates, please send your CV to: Jacqui Paris, Physician Recruiter, at MDRecruitment@coh.org

- Congratulations to Drs. Bridget Keenan, Nancy Nguyen, and Mohana Roy, recipients of ANCO's Travel Awards for 2020. Dr. Keenan is a fellow at the University of California, San Francisco. Dr. Nguyen is a fellow at University of California, Davis, and Dr. Roy is a fellow at Stanford University.

- 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!

- 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.

https://anco.org/membership/already-a-member/.

- ANCO's ASCO20 Virtual Highlights will take place on Saturday, August 22nd. The meeting will summarize the major research and treatment advancements presented at this year's ASCO20 Virtual Meeting. The program will focus on breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, head and neck, and lung cancers as well as a panel on cancer care during the time of COVID-19. The faculty will place these developments in context as to their immediate clinical utility. Read More

- Use ANCO's job board to post or search for employment opportunities at ANCO member practices.

- Follow ANCO on Twitter at @ANCO News.

- Calling on health care providers to expedite telehealth adoption, and health insurance providers to expand affordable and flexible telehealth benefits over the long term, the Trump administration has launched an initiative known as the Pledge to Embrace Technology to Advance America's Health. The White House said more than 50 health care organizations and stakeholders have signed on to the pledge.

- The Business Group on Health reports 53% of employers cite more virtual health benefits among their priorities for 2021 and 71% have stepped up efforts during the pandemic, with mental health, emotional well-being and culture among the top virtual care initiatives. Some 80% of employers say virtual technology will have "a significant impact on how care is delivered in the future," an increase from 52% in 2018. Virtual care is a priority for large employers

- A Medical Group Management Association (MGMA) report found physician practice patient revenues for June were at 76% of 2019 levels, an increase from April and May. Data showed 72% of practices reported reduced doctor pay for June, compared with more than 90% in April and May. Report: June practice revenues at 76% of 2019 levels.

- Public information about the novel coronavirus, including information published by the CDC, is more often written at an 11th-grade reading level than the eighth-grade level as recommended by the CDC, the NIH and the American Medical Association, researchers reported in JAMA Network Open. No state health information about the virus or pandemic met the guidelines, nor did 18 international websites, including 12 pages on the World Health Organization's site.

- Watch the video published for patients to encourage them to talk to their provider in “5 things to know about COVID-19 fraud.” Other valuable information is on this short page to educate your workforce and pass on to your patients. Click Here, this page is updated frequently.

- Uber and NimbleRx have launched prescription drug delivery services in Dallas and Seattle using the HIPAA-compliant Uber Health platform. The companies say more than 15,000 prescriptions have already been delivered, and they plan to offer the service in other cities.

- August is National Immunization Awareness Month (NIAM). Manufacturers are already distributing flu vaccine with no significant delays reported, for the 2020-2021 season. Due to the record number of doses being produced this season, production and distribution will occur over a longer period.  CDC will provide weekly updates on total flu vaccine doses distributed during the 2020-2021 flu season. 

- This Friday! August 28 is the deadline for health care providers treating patients covered by Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program or some Medicare programs to apply for financial assistance through the CARES Act. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act’s Provider Relief Fund eligibility requirement includes not having received funding in the initial CARES Act distribution phase. CARES Act funding deadline extended for providers  

- CMS encourages you to participate in an interoperability pilot to test specific medical documentation exchange use cases. The Electronic Medical Documentation Interoperability (EMDI) Initiative is designed to reduce provider burden by assembling a robust network of stakeholders willing to:

Register for an EMDI introduction webinar

Email EMDI_team@scopeinfotechninc.com

- 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. For the most current information including call schedule changes, please click here.

Calls recordings and transcripts are posted on the CMS podcast page at: https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Education/Outreach/OpenDoorForums/PodcastAndTranscripts

- Qualifying members of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) can access Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). Project N95, a not-for-profit organization, is providing this opportunity for members who are having difficulty obtaining PPE for their patients and staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

- MOASC acknowledges and thanks Beigene as an annual sponsor. Please welcome and THANK them for supporting your organization, when they call or e-mail you.

Beigene focus is on molecularly-targeted and immuno-oncology cancer therapeutics as both monotherapies and for use in combination treatments to have a meaningful and lasting impact on cancer patients. Their cancer models also integrate elements of the human immune system, allowing us to evaluate potential drug candidates in conditions that approximate a patient’s cancer at the time of treatment. This is particularly significant when drug discovery requires evaluation not only of monotherapies but also multiple combinations and regimens targeting specific mutations while simultaneously immobilizing the defenses cancer cells mount against the human immune system. https://www.beigene.com/ 

- BeiGene cordially invites MOASC Members to their upcoming webinar to discuss BRUKINSA for adult patients with Mantle Cell Lymphoma (MCL) who have received at least one prior therapy. Presented by John Pagel, MD, PhD, Chief, Hematologic Malignancies Director, Stem Cell Transplantation Swedish Cancer Institute. The webinar will be on September 2, 2020 at 5:30PM-PDT. To register please email si.doan@beigene.com

- MOASC acknowledges and thanks Agios Pharmaceuticals as an annual sponsor. Please welcome and THANK them for supporting your organization, when they call or e-mail you.

Agios Pharmaceuticals brought two precision oncology medications from their own labs to patients – TIBSOVO®(ivosidenib tablets) and IDHIFA® (enasidenib). During that same time period, the Agios team discovered and developed six additional investigational new drug (IND) candidates, including the first pyruvate kinase-R (PKR) activator in development as a potential treatment for a rare hemolytic anemia known as pyruvate kinase deficiency.

Agios is leading the way in advancing PKR activation for additional non-malignant hematologic diseases, including thalassemia and sickle cell disease, and the company continues to foster a productive research engine that yields new insights and potential therapeutic approaches. https://www.agios.com/

- Astellas Pharma US, cordially invites MOASC Members to their upcoming webinar to discuss XOSPATA^® (gilteritinib): A Targeted Therapeutic Approach for Relapsed or Refractory FLT3m+ AML Patients (077-0621-PM) on Thursday, September 24, 2020 at 6:00 PM-PDT. Presented by: Gary Schiller, MD, Los Angeles, CA. Register at https://astellas.virtualspeakercast.net/Registration/index/48 before September 21, 2020.