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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.
January 3, 2017
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California News
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- Proponents of the "Right to Try" movement had contended that doctors could be hesitant to help such patients because of the risk of using drugs or devices that haven't passed FDA tests for safety and effectiveness. The new law makes it clear that California doctors can proceed without fear of censure from the state's medical board.
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Noridian News
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* MLN Connects Provider News
Announcements
--Additional Opportunities for Clinicians under the Quality Payment Program; HHS Finalizes New Medicare Alterative Payment Models; Hospice Quality Measure Reports Available; EHR Incentive Programs: Prepare for 2016 Attestation; EHR Incentive Programs FAQs on 2017 OPPS/ASCO Final Rule
Claims, Pricers, and Codes
--Pricing and Payment Changes for DME Infusion Drugs Effective January 1, 2017
Events
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Publications
--ICD-9-CM, ICD-10-CM, ICD-10-PCS, CPT, and HCPCS Code Sets Educational Tool-Revised; Medicare Billing: 837P and Form CMS-1500 Fact Sheet-Revised
* Chemotherapy Administration Local Coverage Article-R4 and R5
* Non Covered Services LCD-R14
* Prolonged Services Without Direct Fact-to-Face Patient Contact Separately Payable Under the Physician Fee Schedule CR9905.
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DHCS/Medi-Cal News
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- On December 30, 2016, the DMHC released the Uniform Provider Directory Standards required under SB 137 (Hernandez, Chapter 649, Statutes of 2015). The DMHC and the California Department of Insurance (CDI) held a public meeting on the development of the standards on November 29, 2016. These uniform standards were developed pursuant to SB 137 to permit and help ensure consistency in how information is displayed across provider directories and the development of a multiplan directory. Health plans are required to comply with these standards by January 1, 2018. Click here to view the Uniform Provider Directory Standards.
For additional information please contact [email protected].
- In October 2016, the DMHC launched the Health Plan Dashboard, an online tool to make health plan data more transparent and accessible to the public. The Health Plan Dashboard aggregates more than a dozen public data sets reported by health plans and the DMHC. Data on health plans licensed by the DMHC, such as health plan enrollment by market type, financial reports and premium rates, consumer complaints, audit reports and Department enforcement actions, is now searchable in one easy-to-find location on the Health Plan Dashboard. The Health Plan Dashboard also creates easy-to-understand charts and graphs out of the data. Click HERE to view the Health Plan Dashboard
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- MOASC physician members are invited to take advantage of an opportunity to conduct a research study in the community oncology setting and insure continued practice in the setting of their choice. The goal of this project is to show the value of a physician dispensing practice within a community setting. Specifically, a support care protocol utilizing an oncology population where point of care interaction is critical and can distinguish practices vs. competition. As you all know, head and neck cancer patients undergoing radiation therapy are a high need population. Almost all of these patients will experience some type of mucositis, pain control issues, and functional inability when it comes to nutritional support. Jeff Lombardo PharmD, BCOP,Research Assistant Professor, Associate Director - Empire State Patient Safety Assurance Network, UB Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences, Translational Pharmacology Research Core, UB School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, has written a protocol and tested it in a community oncology setting in New York. His results were presented to Midatech, and they agreed to support a larger trial in a national community oncology setting. The intent is to conduct a multi-center, IRB approved, in multiple community oncology locations across the US with Midatech financial support.
1. Are you interested in volunteering as a Co-PIs on the study?
2. Are you interested in forming a national advisory committee composing of pharmacists, nurses, dieticians, medical and radiation oncologists?
3. Can you provide feedback on the proposed study design and outcome measures?
Once Jeff has gained interest from this email
, his plan is to set up a biweekly or monthly call to move the agenda forward. The final results of this work will be for publication and hopefully a podium presentation at a national conference. From these results, a national focus group of community oncology practices will engage in further studies involving other disease states where community oncology practices can show their value in this disease focus area. Please respond to the MOASC Office [email protected] or 800-310-3553 x 1 to indicate your desire to participate. Thank you!
- Oncology Revolution: Are your treatment choices still relevant in the era of Immuno-oncology and Molecularly-targeted therapies? Join us for the 2017 MOASC Oncology Summit of Nationally known and regionally based key-opinion leaders and assess your tools for thriving in an era of Personalized Medicine! We will discuss how to use the new tools of "Personalized Medicine" to guide treatment choices for Lung Cancer, Prostate Cancer and Multiple Myeloma. This will be a practically-oriented, clinically relevant discussion and you will leave with new insights into your own practice patterns and how to make sure you are embracing the future today!
- The 2nd Annual UC Irvine Health Hematology Symposium, presented by the Department of Pathology and the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, will take place on Saturday, March 25, 2017, at Disney's Paradise Pier Hotel, Anaheim, CA.
Topics will include:
* Molecular diagnostics in selected disorders
* Myelodysplastic syndrome
* Primer on flow cytometry for the general practitioner
* Venous thromboembolism
* Approach to the evaluation of anemia
* Selected vector-borne diseases
* Lupus anticoagulant and antiphospholipid antibody syndrome.
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- Read
Bobbi Buell's summary and analysis of the CY2017 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule, Outpatient Prospective Payment System, and coding updates for 2017 at
www.anco-online.org/BBCY2017MPFS.pdf
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- ANCO's Medicare Reimbursement for Oncology 2017 with Bobbi Buell takes place January 4 in San Jose and January 5 in Sacramento. Learn the latest information impacting Medicare's oncology reimbursement for 2017. These meetings are supported by ARIAD Pharmaceuticals, Exelixis, Helsinn Oncology, and Merck. Download the meeting announcement and registration form at www.anco-online.org/MedicareUpdate2017.pdf.
- ANCO's SABCS Highlights 2016 will take place on January 26 at The Claremont Resort in Oakland. Download the meeting announcement and registration form at www.anco-online.org/SABCSHL2016.pdf.
- ANCO is pleased to announce the 17th Multidisciplinary Management of Cancers: A Case-based Approach on March 17-19, 2017 at The Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa. Registration and housing now open at www.multicancers.org.
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National News
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The
United States Food and Drug Administration
has announced a final rule banning the use of powdered medical gloves
. The rule goes into effect on January 18 and applies to powdered surgeon's gloves, powdered patient examination gloves, and absorbable power for lubricating a surgeon's glove. The rule does not apply to radiographic protection gloves.
- Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi, today, introduced a budget resolution that is the first step toward the repeal of the Affordable Care Act.
Though the process could stretch into early spring, or later, several questions still remain about what legislation repealing the 2010 health care law will include.
- Star Ratings Show Close Collaboration between UnitedHealthcare and Care Providers
- 2017 UnitedHealthcare Care Provider Administrative Guide
- Preferred Drug List Changes
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- CMS has confirmed that it will not move forward with the Medicare Part B demonstration project that would have reduced drug reimbursements.
- The notice for the Special Open Door Forum, regarding Social Security Number Removal Initiative (SSNRI) impacts upon Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) stakeholders, is available in the Downloads section of the Coordination of Benefits and Recovery What's New page of CMS.gov.
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Affiliate Association News
- The Alliance for Patient Access, is a national network of physicians advocating for patient access to approved therapies and appropriate clinical care. AfPA's National Physicians Biologics Working Group is hosting its annual meeting in Phoenix, AZ on January 27th and 28th to discuss issues related to patient access to biologic therapies. If you are policy-minded and interested in advocacy, you are invited to attend the working group meeting. AfPA will cover expenses, including travel, hotel and meals, incurred by attending physicians.Interested physicians may register for the meeting here - or contact Alexa DeVantier [email protected] with questions, requests for additional information, or to register for the meeting.
- ASH's 2017 Highlights of ASH in North America will take place in Seattle on January 27-28. Go to www.hematology.org/highlights for more information and to register.
- A collaboration between ASCO and the American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) enables participants of ACSO's Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI) to receive Maintenance of Certification (MOC) Practice Assessment points from ABIM. For more information on ABIM MOC, eligibility, and requirements, please visit
http://university.asco.org/practice-assessment-activities.
- View ACCC's webcast on the MIPS--The Final Rules Under MACRA at
- NCCN has published updated NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®) with NCCN Evidence Blocks™ bladder cancer (V1.2017); breast cancer risk reduction (V1.2017); cancer-related fatigue (V1.2017); cancer-related infections (V1.2017); chronic myeloid leukemia (V1.2017); prostate cancer (V1.2017); rectal cancer (V2.2017); soft tissue sarcoma (V1.2017). For the complete updated versions of the NCCN Guidelines, NCCN Guidelines with NCCN Evidence Blocks™, the NCCN Compendium®, the NCCN Chemotherapy Order Templates (NCCN Templates®), and the NCCN Imaging Appropriate Use Criteria (NCCN Imaging AUC™), please visit
www.nccn.org.
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- AMGEN informs ANCO and MOASC that the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Blincyto for use in pediatric patients with relapsed or refractory Ph-negative B cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
- Clovis Oncology informs ANCO and MOASC that the United States Food and Drug Administration has approved Rubraca for treatment of patients with deleterious BRCA mutation (gremlin and/or somatic) associated advanced ovarian cancer who have been treated with two or more chemotherapies.
- Seattle Genetics is hosting an educational program entitled Lymphoma Clinical Update with Joseph Tuscano, M.D., UC Davis, at Mulvaney's B&L in Sacramento on January 11. RSVP with your local account manager or Krista Saumure at (916) 402-6846 or [email protected].
- Innovatix is pleased to announce new contracts in:
- Billing & Collections Services- A new direct contract has been awarded to Centers Business Office (CBO)
- Radiopharmaceutical Products- New contracts have been awarded to incumbent suppliers Cardinal Health 414, Triad Isotopes, Lantheus Medical Imaging, and Mallinckrodt
- Medical & Surgical Products Distribution- New contracts have been awarded to incumbent suppliers American Medical Depot, Buffalo Hospital Supply, Cardinal Health 200, Claflin Co., Concordance, Henry Schein, McKesson, Medical Specialties Distributors (MSD), Medline, and Owens & Minor Distribution
- IV Site Management & Accessories- New contracts have been awarded to incumbent suppliers LSL Industries and Medical Action Industries
- Custom Procedure Trays- New contracts have been awarded to incumbent suppliers American Contract Systems (ACS), Cardinal Health 200, DeRoyal, Medical Action Industries, and Medline, as well as to new supplier CPT Medical (CPTMed)
- Sterile Packs & Gowns-New contracts have been awarded to incumbent suppliers Cardinal Health 200, Halyard, and Welmed, as well as to new supplier Medline
- Surgical & Isolation Masks-New contracts have been awarded to incumbent suppliers Cardinal Health, Halyard, Medline, Precept Medical Products, and Prestige Ameritech, as well as to new supplier TIDI Products
Eligibility is subject to vendor approval. Please contact your Client Service Associate for any questions regarding contract eligibility.
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MOASC CALENDAR
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Best of 17th WCLC (International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer, San Francisco, February 4)
(NCCN, San Francisco, March 11)
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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
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-online.org
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