California Oncology Weekly
"Where California Oncologists Go For Answers!"
A publication of the
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc.
August 18, 2020
Click anywhere on picture to view the past 30 years
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- This Thursday! Respond to survey on physician impact from Covid. California News
- Please respond to "Fail First" IV infusion survey. MOASC News
- Tomorrow! CMS' Open Door Forum FY 2021 PFS Final Rule Updates. CMS News
- This Thursday! Physician Compare Preview Period ends. Preview before published! CMS News
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- By this Thursday, August 20, 2020 the California Medical Association is asking for your input. Testing for COVID-19 is a top priority for California and is critical not only for the diagnosis, but for our understanding, management and treatment of COVID-19. COVID-19 testing is the responsibility of our entire health care system, and physicians are a critical component of ensuring the right individuals are tested, at the right place and at the right time. California Health and Human Services (CHHS) and the California Medical Association (CMA) want to hear from physician practices about your experiences with COVID-19 testing, access to supplies, data and reporting, patient communication, and reimbursement. Please share your experience by responding to our brief five-minute survey no later than Thursday, August 20, 2020. This information will help CHHS and CMA support physician practices to continue to provide care to patients during this critical time.
- 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.
- Temperatures will likely continue to hit triple digits throughout most of California. A major worry for health officers who foresee crowds of sunbathing beachgoers spreading more sickness around the state. UCSF epidemiologist Dr. George Rutherford offered a cautionary tale: In Israel, a May heat wave inspired school officials to let kids remove their mask, contributing to the massive resurgence in cases. "People will want to take off their masks when it's hot," Rutherford said. "Don't do it."
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Medicare Jurisdiction E Part B Updates
- Upcoming Educational Events - AUGUST 2020: Providers are encouraged to attend the many educational events offered by Noridian. Read the complete update. The schedules of region-specific events, webinars and training are JEA, JEB, JAF, and JFB
- MolDX: Signatera and Minimal Residual Disease Testing for Colorectal Cancer Proposed LCD Retirement - Effective August 5, 2020. Read the complete update - Billing and Coding: Platelet Rich Plasma coverage article has been created and published for notice. Read the complete update - REMINDER: Advanced Beneficiary Notice (ABN) of Noncoverage Form CMS-R-131, has been approved by the OMB for renewal. The renewed form with the expiration date of 06/30/2023 will be mandatory effective 08/31/2020. The form and instructions may be found at https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Medicare-General-Information/BNI/ABN. There is a webinar scheduled on 08/06/20 that will address the new ABN form, and ABN of Noncoverage, ABN Basics, ABN Completion, ABN Tips, ABN Resources and Noteworthy Information. Read the complete update. - Influenza and Pneumonia Immunization Roster Billing Webinar on September 24, 2020, includes: Overview and General Coverage, Mass Immunizers and Centralized Billers, Roster Billing, Coding and Payment, and Resources 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.
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- 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.
- SAVE-THE-DATE for MOASC's LunchTime Series Virtual Presentation of, "The 2021 Evaluation and Management Changes," next Wednesday, August 26, 2020 at 12:30pm-PDT. Presented by: Allison Hirschorn, Senior Coding and Reimbursement Specialist, ASCO. 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.
JOB BOARD
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
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- 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.
- 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.
- Use ANCO's job board to post or search for employment opportunities at ANCO member practices.
- Follow ANCO on Twitter at @ANCO News.
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National News
- UnitedHealthcare reminds practices that when submitting claims for specialty drugs, to include supported ICD-10-CM diagnosis code(s), as outlined in UHC's Medical Benefit Drug Policy Guidelines. Claims containing HCPCS© codes for drugs without the approved ICD-10-CM diagnosis may result in additional reviews or other actions. In some cases, a representative from Optum will contact you to review the claim. The correct use of an ICD-10-CM code listed in the policy does not guarantee coverage of a service. The service must be reasonable and necessary in the specific case and must meet the criteria specified in the policy. You can find more information about UHC policies and guidelines here.
- Social distancing associated with the COVID-19 crisis has significantly increased the number of hours we spend on computers and digital devices. If you stare at a computer or digital device for more than a few hours a day, you are more susceptible to digital eyestrain and long-term vision problems. Read on for four tips to prevent digital eyestrain.
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CMS News
- Tomorrow! CMS' Physicians, Nurses & Allied Health Professionals Open Door Forum is tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19, 2020, 11:00am-12:00pm Pacific Time. **Date is subject to change**. Please dial-in at least 15 minutes before call start time. Some of the topics to be discussed: FY 2021 Physicians Fee Schedule Final Rule Updates; Telehealth (and Other Services Involving Communications Technology); Care Management and Remote; Evaluation and Management Services and Related Valuations; Proposals Regarding Professional Scope of Practice and Related Issues; PFS Payment for Services of Teaching Physicians; Scope of Practice; Appropriate Use Criteria Announcement; Open Payments. To participate by phone: Dial: 1-888-455-1397 & Conference Passcode: 9375124. Persons participating by phone do not need to RSVP. Instant Replay: 1-800-759-3449; Conference ID: No Passcode Needed. The recording expires August 21, 2020, 8:59pm Pacific Time. For ODF schedule updates and E-Mailing List registration, visit CMS website at http://www.cms.gov/OpenDoorForums/.
- The Physician Compare Preview Period ends THIS THRUSDAY, August 20, 2020 at 5 p.m. Pacific. If you haven't previewed your information already, don't miss your chance to preview your 2018 Quality Payment Program performance information before it is publicly reported on Physician Compare profile pages and in the Downloadable Database.
Check out the resources below on how to preview your information:
For additional assistance with accessing the Quality Payment Program website, or obtaining your EIDM user role, contact the Quality Payment Program service center at QPP@cms.hhs.gov.
To learn more about the 2018 Quality Payment Program performance information that is available for preview as well as the 2017 clinician utilization data that will be added to the Downloadable Database, download these documents from the Physician Compare Initiative page:
- The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released information regarding the October updates to the 2020 MPFSDB. The MACs will not search their files to retract payment for claims already paid or to retroactively pay claims impacted by these changes. However, MACs will adjust claims brought to their attention.
1 New Code Effective June 25, 2020
One new code is effective for dates of service from June 25, 2020, and beyond. Medicare implemented this code under CR 11736 for the October 2020 HCPCS update.
21 New Codes Effective October 1st
The 21 codes below are new codes effective for dates of service from October 1, 2020, and beyond. These codes were also implemented under CR 11736 for the October 2020 HCPCS update. Note: For all 21 codes, there are no RVUs, and payment policy indicators do not apply.
Click Here for the list of codes and more information from the MLN Matters Bulletin.
- There is a new healthcare coverage option available to employers of all sizes: the individual coverage health reimbursement arrangement (HRA)! Tomorrow, Wednesday, August 19 at the CMS HRA 101 webinar is your chance to learn more about this new way to provide your employees tax-preferred funds to pay for qualified medical expenses, including the cost of health insurance coverage purchased in the individual market. After attending tomorrow's webinar, CMS invites you to join us for our HRA 201 sessionon September 16 to learn more. The webinars provide an overview of HRAs and explain the opportunities. REGISTER NOW for both.
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Affiliate Association News
- This Friday, August 21, 2020 is the deadline to submit your interest in ASCO's position of Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President. ASCO has exclusively retained Bridge Partners to conduct a search. Interested candidates please submit your CV and cover letter to: Debbie Tang and Toya Lawson by August 21. READ MORE>>>
- In order to support and learn from their members during the COVID-19 pandemic, ASCO launched the "ASCO Global Webinar Series: Experiences and Lessons During the COVID-19 Pandemic." The webinars are held monthly. Each session is recorded and available within 24 hours; past sessions are available on demand. Learn more and register.
- The American Society of Hematology is pleased to announce the pilot of the ASH Hematology Review Series. This free series is for fellows preparing to take the internal medicine hematology certification examination (to be offered in fall 2020 and spring 2021) or those desiring a comprehensive update. If you are preparing for the internal medicine hematology certification exams, you can't miss this valuable review series! The ASH Hematology Review Series will air two episodes every week through October 2020 leading up to the board exams. LEARN MORE>>>
- The 2020 ASH Meeting on Hematologic Malignancies: A Virtual Experience, August 27 - September 12 features top experts in the field presenting the latest clinical research. The meeting will include live and on-demand sessions with exciting updates in each of the core hematologic malignancies. Get the knowledge you need to make an immediate impact on your practice. Visit the ASH website for additional details and to register.
- Cedars-Sinai 3rd Annual Gastrointestinal Tumor Conference is on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Concise and comprehensive updates on the most recent research and advances in immunotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers, will be presented. 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.
- The NCCN has publishes guideline updates for Myeloid/Lymphoid Neoplasms with Eosinophilia and Tyrosine Kinase Fusion Genes Version 2.2021 For the complete updated versions of the NCCN Guidelines, please visit NCCN.org.
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Industry News
- Tomorrow! Wednesday, August 19, Sanofi-Genzyme presents their virtual program, Spotlight on the Management of Hematologic Malignancies. Presented by: Hardeep Phull, MD, Hematologist/Oncologist, Sharp Rees-Stealy Medical Group, at 6:30pm Pacific. Learn about the indication, mechanism of action, and important safety information for SARCLISA, gain in-depth knowledge on the clinical data in patients with RRMM. To register go to https://healthstarcom.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_mxXltvXYSbaECcxVeAolhQ
- 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
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(Huntington Beach, July 23-25)
(August 22)
(Virtual, Various Dates)
(Davis, New Dates:
March 11-12, 2021)
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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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