California   Oncology  Weekly
"Where California Oncologists Go For Answers!"
A collaborative publication of the
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc.
and the
Association of Northern California Oncologists, Inc .
       
July 9, 2019

 
This Weekly's Hot Topics

  • The California legislature passed a state budget with notable health coverage provisions, including the expansion of Medi-Cal to all Californians. California News
  • CMS has published Open Payments Program Year 2018 data, along with newly submitted and updated payment records for previous program years. CMS News
  • Applications are now being accepted for the 2020-2021 cycle of ASCO's Health Policy Leadership Development Program. Affiliate Association News
 


California News

The California legislature passed a state budget with notable health coverage provisions, including the expansion of Medi-Cal to all Californians with low incomes under the age of 26, regardless of immigration status. In a statement, Sandra R. Hernández said, "At a time when the federal administration continues to erode health coverage for Americans and threaten hardworking immigrants, California is showing a different path is possible." California Takes Historic Step Toward Universal Coverage.

The Office of Community Outreach and Engagement for the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center is conducting an environmental scan survey to collect information regarding the HPV vaccine with the aim to increase uptake rates. They would like your assistance in providing insight for this scan by taking the survey below. The survey should only be taken by those who live or work in the counties of: Alpine, Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado, Nevada, Placer, Sacramento, San Joaquin, Sierra, Solano, Sutter, Yolo, and Yuba . This survey should only take approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. If you have any friends, family, or co-workers who may be interested in sharing their insights - please do forward. Please complete the survey by Friday, July 12th . Thank you in advance for your consideration. 
If you have any questions, please contact Duke LeTran at[email protected]



Noridian News 

- Noridian/JEMAC has the following updates on their website http://med.noridianmedicare.com/web/jeb

Publications:
* DMEPOS Fee Schedule-July 2019 Update-Revised CR11334
 
Forthcoming Noridian JEMAC meetings/webinars/workshops
* Telehealth/Telemedicine Enrollment Only Webinar (July 10)
* What's New in the Third Quarter 2019 Webinar (July 11)
* Understanding National and Local Coverage Determinations Webinar (July 23)
* Using the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) Webinar (July 23)
* Understanding the Basics of Medicare Secondary Payer (A/B) Webcast (July 24)
* Medicare Part A/B Revalidation Webinar (July 24)
* Computed Tomography of the Abdomen and Pelvis Webinar (July 31)
* Revocation, Caps and Appeals Webinar (August 7)
* Using the Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) Webinar (August 8)
* Submitting Your Enrollment Online-Part 1 (I&A) Webinar (August 21)
* Drugs and Biologics-Outpatient Billing Webinar (September 10)
 
For more information and to register, visit: http://med.noridianmedicarecom/web/jeb/education/training-events.



MOASC News  

- SAVE-THE-DATE for MOASC's Spotlight On Oncology, August 17, 2019 in Huntington Beach. MOASC awarded restricted grants to selected oncology fellows and faculty from the University of California, Irvine (UCI), to present the premier topics as a result of their attendance at the 2019 Annual ASCO Meeting. The presentations not only promote collegial discourse among colleagues along with networking in an informal setting but valuable clinical information.  Contact the MOASC Office for more information at [email protected].
 
- Renew your MOASC Membership TODAY to continue your investment in your state association! MOASC continues to advance oncology in California with your support and membership in MOASC. In 2018, MOASC successfully worked to create the California Cancer Caucus in Sacramento. YOU, the California oncologist, are the reason for MOASC's existence. MOASC advocates diligently insuring your ability to serve the California oncology community. 
You can renew your membership in two ways:
Print the application HERE. With your check made payable to: Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc., mail the completed application to: P.O. Box 161, Upland, CA  91785.
OR 
Go to www.moasc.org and pay via PayPal.
We are looking forward to an exciting year ahead with benefits you will not want to miss.
If you have any questions, please contact the MOASC Office at 909-985-9061 ext.1 or at [email protected].
 
- MOASC Member, City of Hope CME presents: Multidisciplinary Approaches to Cancer Symposium on October 10-13, 2019 at the Waldorf Astoria, Las Vegas. This intensive program will provide participants with an enhanced ability to interpret and apply best treatment options into their individual cancer practices. For more information click HERE. To register go to: https://cme.cityofhope.org/eventinfo_10946.html.
 
Mark your calendars NOW for the 7th Annual MOASC Oncology Summit, March 14, 2020 at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. From 2014 through 2019 the Oncology Summit has highlighted cutting-edge topics presented by world renowned physicians. Topics from: Decoding Molecular Medicine's "nibs" and "mabs" to Personalizing Cancer Care in the Era of Multiple Therapies and Diagnostic Tools to Harnessing the Power of Immunotherapy, and this year's  Advancing Cancer Care in the Elderly; MOASC has brought to southern California physicians the most contemporary topics for presentation and discussion, unlike any other. 
You will not want to miss our 2020 program! 

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ANCO News  
 
- ANCO members are invited to an ANCO-SullivanLuallin Group Patient Satisfaction Survey Webcast on Wednesday, July 10 at 12:30PM PT. Join the webinar at https://bit.ly/2FIKSZw; learn more at https://anco.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ANCO-SLGPatientSurvey2019.pdf.

-   ANCO members may register with a discounted rate using code ILC19ANCO for the 20th Annual International Lung Cancer Congress taking place on July 25-27 at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. Visit  https://www.gotoper.com/conferences/ilc/meetings/20th-International-Lung-Cancer-Congress  for more information.

- REGISTRATION NOW AVAILABLE ONLINE: ANCO's ASCO Highlights 2019 will take place on Saturday, August 17 at The Claremont Resort in Berkeley. Download the meeting announcement at https://anco.org/site/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/ASCOHL2019.pdf.

- SAVE THE DATE for the ANCO Annual Professional Education Meeting 2019 in Berkeley on Saturday, November 9. Watch for a meeting announcement in late July.

- SAVE THE DATE for the ANCO-UCSF Precision Oncology Symposium in San Francisco on Saturday, November 2. Watch for a meeting announcement in mid July.

- E mployment opportunities  are now announced on the new ANCO website at  https://anco.org/job-board/.

- ANCO physician members, their practice staff, and representatives from ANCO's corporate members must register to access password protected content on the ANCO website (www.anco.org) at https://anco.org/membership/already-a-member/.
 
- Follow  ANCO on Twitter  at  @ANCO News .


  
National News 
 
COA Executive Director, Ted Okon reports that the "...Senate Finance does not yet have a score from CBO on the tiered ASP add-on. However, we have learned that the White House is asking Senate Finance to include an inflation cap on drugs that pharma companies would have to rebate the amount above the caps for Medicare.  Basically, it would limit Medicare payments when drug prices are increased over an inflation index..."
 
Working to reach bipartisan agreement on an immediate health care issue of lowering costs for people who already have coverage; the Senate and House, return from their Fourth of July recess, pushing to end surprise medical bills, curb high prices for medicines, and limit prescription copays for people with Medicare. Partisan disagreements could derail the effort, but lawmakers fear the voters' verdict in 2020 if politicians have nothing to show for all their discussions about drug prices.
 
New Jersey will become the eighth state to allow doctors to prescribe lethal medication to terminally ill patients who want to end their lives. On Sept. 15, Maine will become the ninth. So by October, 22 percent of Americans will live in places where residents with six months or less to live can, in theory, exercise some control over the time and manner of their deaths. (The others: Oregon, Washington, Vermont, Montana, California, Colorado and Hawaii, as well as the District of Columbia.) But while the campaign for aid in dying continues to make gains, supporters are increasingly concerned about what happens after these laws are passed.


CMS News 

-C MS launched its three-stage AI Health Outcomes Challenge, offering up to a $1 million grand prize for the best initiative to predict unplanned hospital admissions and other adverse events. Ultimately, the CMS Innovation Center could use the innovations to test provider payment and delivery models. HealthLeaders Media
 
CMS has published Open Payments Program Year 2018 data, along with newly submitted and updated payment records for previous program years. The data is accessible at https://openpaymentsdata.cms.gov/. Open Payments is a national disclosure program that promotes transparency and accountability by making information about the financial relationships between applicable manufacturers and group purchasing organizations (GPOs) and physicians and teaching hospitals available to the public. Through this program, the public has access to a more transparent and accountable healthcare system.



Affiliate Association News   
 
Join COA for a free webinar on Friday, July 12 from 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. PT.The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) recently released the OCM 2.0 an ambitious reform model to improve quality, reduce costs, and provide important additional cancer care services to patients. COA staff will take a deeper dive into what the OCM 2.0 is, and is not, as well as our vision for the future of cancer care. Time will be reserved for audience questions. Advanced registration is free and required. A post-webinar recording will be shared with all who register.
What : Learn more about COA's OCM 2.0 Webinar
When : Friday, July 12 from 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. ET
Where : Free Zoom webinar (www.zoom.us)
Register for free HERE.

- Applications are now being accepted for the 2020-2021 cycle of ASCO's Health Policy Leadership Development Program, a one-year program that gives ASCO members the opportunity to develop expertise in health policy, advocacy, and grassroots activity while learning valuable leadership skills. Learn more at https://www.asco.org/advocacy-policy/asco-in-action/apply-now-ascos-health-policy-leadership-development-program.

- ASCO's Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) is an oncologist-led, practice-based quality assessment program for outpatient oncology clinics. Round 2 registration is now open and data submission will run from July 1 to December 3, 2019. Register for QOP at https://myqopi.asco.org/registration/login.aspx.
 
- The ASCO Oncology Practice Conference, September 5, in San Diego will focus on the business of cancer care addressing the needs of practice administration and operations, with timely and practice strategies for the challenges faced by all those involved in the business of cancer care. Learn more and register at https://meetings.asco.org/opc/register.
 
The ASCO Quality Care Symposium, September 6-7 in San Diego, encompasses the latest strategies and methods for quantification of patient experience, provider efficiency, clinical outcomes, and quality and safety in the cancer care field. The Symposium will include a variety of sessions that will cover the latest science in precision and personalized medicine. This meeting will bring leaders in quality improvement science together to participate in stimulating conversation with opportunities for networking among physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and others. ASCO Quality Care Symposium.
   
Join ASH on September 6-7, 2019, at the Fairmont Chicago, Millennium Park for the 2019 ASH Meeting on Hematologic Malignancies to gain knowledge that can help you make an immediate impact in your practice. Top experts in the field, will present comprehensive clinical content, the latest clinical research, and opportunities to interact with colleagues in an intimate, small group setting with no competing sessions. The program content will be structured as "How I Treat" presentations, which will highlight each speaker's evidence-based treatment approaches, present cutting-edge scientific data that can be translated into new strategies for diagnosis and treatment, and address what to do in cases where there is no data. For more details, or to register, please visit the ASH Website.
 
- Present your research at the world's premier hematology event, the 61st ASH Annual Meeting and Exposition in Orlando, Florida. The best new scientific research in all areas of hematology will be presented. Researchers are encouraged to submit an abstract by August 1, 11:59 p.m. Pacific time.
 
Register TODAY, for ASCO's Advocacy Summit, September 25 & 26, 2019 in Washington, D.C. this two-day conference will feature guest speakers and network opportunities that will empower you to advocate for policies that support cancer research, your practice and highest quality patient care in meetings with your lawmakers.
 
Join the Inland Empire Oncology Nursing Society fundraiser event for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Light The Night, on October 26, 2019 at the Auto Club Speedway of California in Fontana, money raised through Light The Night allows The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) to fund treatments for patients who are suffering from all forms of blood cancers. In 2018, LLS helped advance 19 of 21 approved blood cancer therapies. Beating cancer is in our blood. Donate NOW!



Industry News

- Karyopharm Therapeutics informs ANCO and MOASC that the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Xpovio in combination with dexamethasone for adult patients with released or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who have received at least four prior therapies and whose disease is refractory to last least two proteasome inhibitors, at least two immunomodulatory agents, and an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody.

- Coherus Academy for Biosimilars Learning and Education (C.A.B.L.E.) informed MOASC and ANCO about two upcoming events:
1. UDENYCATM Clinical Review , presented by Andrea Stebel, M.D., Sante Medical Oncology Specialists, on July 11, 2019 at 3005 Old Ranch Parkway, Seal Beach, CA 90740. To register go to http://bit.ly/coh00135 or email [email protected].
2. Coherus Reimbursement Overview, Presented by Francie Nordin, AAS, Summit Cancer Center, on July 16, 2049 at 17440 East 17th Street Tustin, CA 92780. To register go to http://bit.ly/coh00138 or email [email protected]



In This Issue





 
MOASC CALENDAR

Spotlight On Oncology
August 17, 2019












ANCO
CALENDAR


ANCO's ASCO Highlights 2019
(The Claremont Hotel, Berkeley, August 17, 2019) 
 
 5th World Congress on Controversies in Breast Cancer (CoBrCa): When is Less More? 
(Use code cobrca10 for ANCO Member Discount;
San Francisco, September 4-6) 

 
(NCCN, San Francisco, September 27-28) 
 
ANCO Annual Professional Education Meeting 2019 (Berkeley, October 17)

8th International Cancer Metastatis Congress
(San Francisco, October 25-27) 
 
Supportive Care in Oncology
(ASCO, San Francisco, October 25-26) 

Kaiser Permanente National Oncology Symposium (Los Angeles, November 8-9)
 
  ANCO-UCSF Precision Oncology Symposium (San Francisco, November 2)
 
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  Association of Northern California Oncologists (ANCO) is an association of hematologists/oncologists dedicated to promoting high professional standards of cancer care by providing a forum for the exchange of ideas, data, and knowledge. The material contained in the California Oncology Weekly is intended as general information for ANCO and 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 or ANCO 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

ANCO: P.O. Box 151109, San Rafael, CA 94915 |  P (415) 472-3960 | F (415) 472-3961 | www.anco.org