California Oncology Weekly
"Where California Oncologists Go For Answers!"
A publication of the
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc.
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This Weekly's Hot Topics
- California is on track to allowing Nurse Practitioners to practice independently California News
- More physicians are using telehealth and virtual visits National News
- CMS issues proposed rule for Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug programs. CMS News
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California is on track to allowing Nurse Practitioners to practice independently
. Last week, the California State Assembly passed AB 890, which would give "full practice authority" to nurse practitioners, which are registered nurses who have completed a master's or doctoral degree and fulfilled additional clinical training. If the Senate passes the bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Jim Wood, D- Santa Rosa, California would join about half of U.S. states that allow NPs to practice independently. Supporters say that could help ease the state's primary care shortages by encouraging NPs to practice in underserved areas as well as attracting out-of-state providers previously turned off by the state's restrictive approach. More than 75% of practicing NPs provide primary care, according to the American Association of Nurse Practitioners.
- Governor Gavin Newsom recently announced in his proposed 2020-2021 budget overhauling Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) by installing an oversight board to set fees and hear appeals of agency decisions. Similarly, Assemblymember Cristina Garcia (D-Bell Gardens) and a dozen other lawmakers have proposed a legislative overhaul to DTSC under AB 995. The California protocols dealing with hazardous waste are more rigid than those of any other state, resulting in the processing of more hazardous waste into nontoxic form and sending less hazardous materials into landfills. To this end, the CalChamber endorses California's policy of managing its own hazardous waste and not exporting it to other states or nations where protocols are either nonexistent or far less stringent, resulting in less environmental protection.
The CalChamber supports polices that ensure DTSC issues hazardous waste permits in a timely and cost-effective manner and that permit applicants are subject to clear and predictable procedures.
Although it is too soon to know whether the creation of an oversight board will ultimately lead to a more accountable and efficient DTSC, all stakeholders probably agree that the status quo is not working.
- California Dialogue on Cancer is looking for stories of people who have a message to share about cancer survivorship to be included in the 2021-2025 cancer plan. Stories can be of someone who was diagnosed or affected. Whether their cancer diagnosis was recent, or long ago, CDoC like to feature words of inspiration, wisdom, hope, and support in these stories about how their lives have been changed by cancer. Please contact Iliana Rodriguez at iliana.rodriguez@ucdavis.edu if you know of someone who would want their story featured in the next cancer plan.
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- Noridian/JEMAC has the following updates on their website
Forthcoming Noridian JEMAC meetings/webinars/workshop
* Submitting Your Enrollment Online Part 1(I&A) Webinar (February 26)
* Common Error when Enrolling in Medicare Webinar (March 4)
* Submitting Your Enrollment Online Part 2 *(PECOS) Webinar (March 18)
* Rebuttal, Reconsiderations and CAPS Webinar (April 8)
* Medicare Part A/B Revalidation Webinar (April 22)
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Spotlight of the Week:
Ashkan Lashkari, M.D.
We are excited to share with you that MOASC Board Member and Annual Program Director, Dr. Ashkan Lashkari will be moderating the upcoming Annual Oncology Summit Educational Symposium, Saturday, March 14
, at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. The topic is "Exciting Advances in Oncology" with speakers from Cedars Sinai, City of Hope, UCI, UCLA, and USC highlighting advances in several areas of oncology including melanoma, lymphoma, breast, colon, prostate, kidney, and lung cancers, among others.
A physician at Wellness Oncology and Hematology, Dr. Lashkari offers personalized oncology and hematology care to patients at their offices in West Hills and Tarzana. Born and raised in Santa Monica, by parents who were both dedicated educators, Dr. Lashkari knew at a young age that he wanted a career that would allow him to help others. He stayed close to home for his education, earning bachelor's degrees in art history and molecular biology from the University of California at Los Angeles, and then remained at UCLA to complete his Doctor of Medicine degree. During medical school, Dr. Lashkari developed a keen interest in cancer care, inspired by the discoveries of new treatments and the possibility of helping people with challenging conditions. After an internal medicine residency at UCLA, Dr. Lashkari completed a fellowship in hematology and medical oncology at the City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center in Duarte, California. He focused his time on learning how to design clinical trials and researching familial cancer syndromes. His vast experience allows him to provide high-quality, compassionate care to his patients. For more information on Wellness Oncology and Hematology or Dr. Lashkari visit https://www.wellnessoncology.com/
- Next Tuesday, February 18, Dr. Ashkan Lashkari will lead a round table discussion on NSCLC and Metastatic NSCLC at Estate Restaurant + Bar - 1519 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403, at 7PM. This program is open to, and intended for medical oncologists treating NSCLC/Metastatic NSCLC. RSVP at
www.targetedonc.com/events
.
- On Saturday, March 14, come celebrate MOASC's 30th Anniversary and listen to the
"Exciting Advances in Oncology"
as the focus of the MOASC 2020 Annual Oncology Summit Educational Symposium,
at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach
. Speakers will highlight advances in several areas of oncology including melanoma, lymphoma, breast, colon, prostate, kidney, and lung cancers, among others. To register, contact the MOASC office at
moasc@moasc.org
or 909-985-9061 x1. #MOASC30
- MOASC Member, City of Hope CME presents: Immunotherapy of Cancer: CAR T Cell to Checkpoint Inhibitors, March 18, 2020 to March 21, 2020 at the Waldorf Astoria, Las Vegas, Nevada. For more information click
here
. To register go to
https://cme.cityofhope.org/eventinfo_11295.html
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- ANCO has signed onto a letter and encourages members to support HR913, the Clinical Treatment Act, that would require Medicaid to cover routine care costs for patients with life-threatening conditions on clinical trials. To contact your Congressional Representatives in support of HR913, please go to
https://asco.quorum.us/action_center/.
- ANCO will be supporting legislation in California addressing prescription drug utilization management, including step therapy and prior authorization. The legislation creates standard exceptions to step therapy; clarifies language related to step therapy and prior authorization timeframes from respond within 72 hours/24 hours within exigent circumstances to approve or deny with the same timeframe; ensures that clinical peers make the step therapy and prior authorization decisions on behalf of the health plans; and, requires reporting of utilization management data to ensure a better grasp of utilization management and how it is being utilized.
- ANCO testified before the Medical Board of California in support of its sponsored Cancer Medication Recycling Act that would create a program to allow cancer patients to donate their unused oral anti-cancer medications to patients in need of the medication, coordinated by the prescribing physician and regulated by the Medical Board of California.
- Applications now being accepted 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 2020. The deadline for submission is March 31. Awards will be announced by April 30. Learn more at
https://anco.org/membership/fellow-benefits/.
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REGISTER for the 20th Multidisciplinary Management of Cancers: A Case-based Approach taking place in Napa on March 13-15.
- Follow ANCO on Twitter at
@ANCO News
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National News
- A survey of American Medical Association members found that more physicians are using telehealth and virtual visits, remote patient monitoring, and clinical decision support. Physicians say they adopt new technology to improve efficiency, safety, patient adherence and convenience. Healthcare IT News
- Palliative care in oncology is a new, emerging field, and integrating palliative care into oncology practice has led to broader availability of palliative care for people with cancer. A special series in the Journal of Clinical Oncology provides an overview of palliative care use in oncology and predictions for future use.
American Society of Clinical Oncology
- Ninety percent of New Jersey residents responding to a survey said they prefer seeking health information from a physician; 80% seek information from nurses; 70% turn to family, friends and websites for health information; about 33% seek information from television, a newspaper or the radio; and about 20% use social media for health-related information. Simply seeking information from a source does not indicate trust, as 90% who seek information from doctors and nurses have high confidence in that information, while only 10% are confident in information from social media. NJBIZ (New Jersey)
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CMS News
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a proposed rule and the Advance Notice Part II, to further advance the agency's efforts to strengthen and modernize the Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug programs. The changes proposed would lower beneficiary cost sharing on some of the most expensive prescription drugs, promote the use of generic drugs, and allow beneficiaries to know in advance and compare their out-of- pocket payments for different prescription drugs. Together, these proposed changes advance Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation's Seniors as well as several of the CMS strategic initiatives. The proposed changes described in the Advance Notice are expected to increase plan revenue by 0.93%.
Promoting price transparency and lowering prescription drug prices, the proposed rule would require Part D plans to offer real-time drug price comparison tools to beneficiaries starting January 1, 2022, so consumers could shop for lower-cost alternative therapies under their prescription drug benefit plan.
- Starting this year, Medicare Advantage beneficiaries are able to access additional telehealth benefits not offered under Medicare Fee-for-Service, giving patients the option to receive health care services from more convenient locations, like their homes, rather than requiring them to go to a health care facility. CMS is proposing to build on the current benefits and give Medicare Advantage plans more flexibility.
- CMS is also proposing to enhance the Medicare Advantage and Part D Star Ratings to further increase the impact that patient experience and access measures have on a plan's Star Rating. The Star Ratings system helps people with Medicare, their families, and their caregivers compare the quality of health and drug plans being offered. One of the best indicators of a plan's quality is how its enrollees feel about their coverage experience. This proposal reflects CMS's commitment to put patients first and improves incentives for plans to focus on what patients value and feel is important.
- As part of CMS' Patients Over Paperwork initiative to reduce unnecessary burden, increase efficiencies, and improve the beneficiary experience, in the proposed rule, CMS is seeking comment on many longstanding policies on the Medicare Advantage and Part D programs that have been adopted through sub-regulatory guidance such as the annual Call Letter and other guidance documents. CMS looks forward to feedback on the proposed rule. Comments may be submitted electronically through our e-Regulation website at:
http://www.cms.gov/Regulations-and-Guidance/Regulation-andPolicies/eRulemaking/indes.html?redirect=/eRulemaking.
CMS will accept comments on all proposals in the Advance Notice through Friday, March 6, 2020, before publishing the final Rate Announcement by April 6, 2020.
To submit comments or questions electronically, go to
www.regulations.gov, enter the docket number "CMS-2020-0003" in the "search" field, and follow the instructions for ''submitting a comment.''
Medicare Advantage and Part D Advance Notice Part II, please visit:
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Affiliate Association News
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- TODAY, February 11, is the deadline to Submit an Abstract of your findings at ASCO 2020, the largest multidisciplinary oncology conference in the world. There are more than 3,500 opportunities for scientific presentations and discussions. The 2020 ASCO Annual Meeting is being held May 29 - June 2, 2020 at McCormick Place in Chicago, IL.
- On February 18, MOASC Board member and key opinion leader, Dr. Ashkan Lashkari (Providence Tarzana Medical Center), with Targeted Oncology™, will lead a round table discussion on NSCLC / Metastatic NSCLC. The program starts at 7pm, at Estate Restaurant + Bar, 1519 Wilshire Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA 90403. This program is open to, and intended for medical oncologists treating NSCLC/ Metastatic NSCLC. RSVP at www.targetedonc.com/events.
- Register for the 2020 COA Conference: Focusing On The Future - Together. COA Conferences help community oncology physicians, pharmacy leaders and business representatives connect the dots across specialties, with a special focus on what is relevant for independent community oncology practices. When practices come together to discuss the important initiatives on a national stage, it drives progress in a way that is truly beneficial to patients. Attend the 2020 Community Oncology Conference taking place April 23-24 in Orlando.
-Cedars-Sinai 3rd Annual Gastrointestinal Tumor Conference is scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2020, it will provide concise and comprehensive updates on the most recent research and advances in immunotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers. A stellar faculty has been assembled to share developments in precision medicine, research, and immunotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of cancers of the pancreas, liver, and gastric/esophagus. For more information and to register go to: cedars.cloud-cme.com/gicancercme.
- Save the Date! National Cancer Survivors Day® is Sunday, June 7, 2020. www.ncsd.org
- NCCN has published updated guidelines at
https://www.nccn.org/professionals/physician_gls/default.aspx-
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MOASC CALENDAR
City of Hope CME presents: Immunotherapy of Cancer: CAR T Cell to Checkpoint Inhibitors
March 18-21, 2020
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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.
MOASC: P.O. Box 161, Upland, CA 91785 | P (909) 985-9061 | F (909) 804-5006| www.moasc.org
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