- Lawmakers are negotiating their year-end budget and HHS' new Medicare cuts to the 340B program is involved. Congress must pass the budget by Dec. 8 to prevent a government shutdown. 340B hospitals face $1.6 billion in annual Medicare cuts through the CMS' finalized hospital outpatient hospital prospective payment rule if Congress doesn't block or delay its implementation before Jan. 1, according to the American Hospital Association and Association of American Medical Colleges. A bipartisan group of House lawmakers want leadership to include a bill in the year-end budget patch that would essentially bar the cuts and new reporting requirements that hospitals say add extra administrative burden from going into effect.

 

-  Have questions about TRICARE benefits? Join Tricare for a Q&A webinar on Wednesday, Dec. 13, from 10 to 11 a.m. (PT). The "TRICARE Asked and Answered" webinar will include a panel of subject matter experts to answer your questions about TRICARE benefits, health plan options, dental plan options, upcoming changes to TRICARE, and more. Read the full article here. 

 

-  NIH's All of Us Research Program partners with the National Library of Medicine to reach communities through local libraries . Partnership aims to raise awareness about the program and improve participant access.

 

-  Telemedicine offers access to state-of-the-art cancer care in rural areas. The Gene Upshaw Memorial Tahoe Forest Cancer Center in California has established a virtual tumor board to help reduce fears in rural patients with cancer and offer them easier access to modern care and clinical trials . READ MORE

 

-  New platform lets patients sell their health data . Through the Health Wizz app, patients can aggregate their data and receive cryptocurrency in exchange for handing it over to pharmaceutical companies and others.  Read More

 

- The  UnitedHelathcare Network Bulletin for December is now available online at  https://www.unitedhealthcareonline.com/ccmcontent/ProviderII/UHC/en-US/Assets/ProviderStaticFiles/ProviderStaticFilesPdf/News/December-Interactive-Network-Bulletin-2017.pdf#page=3 and features articles about prior authorization requirements effective January 1.

 

-  The  Senate  tax reform legislation would trigger sequestration and threaten cuts to Medicare of approximately $25B. ANCO, MOASC, and ASCO urge member stop urge their  Senators to act to avoid Medicare cuts in the tax reform legislation via  http://cprengage.com/asco/?3. 

 

-  ASCO and seven other medical societies sent a letter to the leaders of the Senate Finance Committee, House Energy and Commerce Committee, and  House Ways and Means Committee  asking lawmakers to take action this year to remove Part B drug payments from the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) score adjustment. The recently released CMS CY2018  Physician Fee Schedule  makes Part B drug reimbursement subject to MIPS adjustments. Read the letter at  www.asco.org/new-www.asco.org/files/content-files/blog-release/pdf/2017-Joint-MIPS-PartB-Letter.pdf.

 

- The FDA has issued a statement addressing  IV fluid and other drug shortages and outlining solutions at

www.fda.gov/NewsEvents/Newsroom/PressAnnouncements/ucm585720.htm?.

-  The  United States Federal Drug Administration's Division of Drug Information  is hosting a complimentary webinar entitled Overview of the Regulatory Framework and the Development and Approval of Biosimilars in the U.S . The webinar will define the difference between biosimilar and interchangeable products, provide an overview of the regulatory framework for biosimilar products, and explain the general requirements of the approval pathway for biosimilars. Learn more and register at  http://collaborationcqpub1.fda.gov/content/connect/c1/7/en/events/shared/94630851/event_registration.html?sco-id=127063551&charset_=utf-8.

CMS News 

 

- Listen/View ACCC's 2018 OPPS/PFS Final Rules: What You Need to
 Know at  https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/recording/viewRecording/3246328258799617539/4538641450016057608/[email protected] ; read Bobbi Buell's analysis of the final rules at www.anco-online.org/BBMPFS2018Analysis.pdf.

 

-  The standard Part B monthly premium and deductible will remain consistent next year, 2018, at $134 and $183, respectively. Beneficiaries previously held harmless against premium increases may see an increase, but this would be offset by an increase in Social Security benefits. The standard deductible and premium for Part A will increase by $24 and $9, respectively. Read this fact sheet for more information.

 

-  Providers and health plans use a variety of different formats for conducting electronic transactions. HIPAA Administrative Simplification transaction standards work towards reducing the variable formats, making it easier for data to be shared and transferred. The 2016 CAQH Index estimates that industry-wide compliance with the adopted standards could save providers nearly $8 billion annually, with overall savings to the industry projected at more than $9 billion. The report analyzed the financial impact for the following transactions: Claim submission/receipt; Eligibility and benefits verification; Prior authorization;

Claim status inquiry; Claim payment (electronic funds transfer); Claim remittance advice; Claim attachments (standards not yet adopted).

Achieving the full benefits of Administrative Simplification requires industry-wide compliance. To that end, HHS will pursue proactive compliance reviews of health plans and clearinghouses for compliance with Administrative Simplification transaction standards. Practices will want to ensure YOUR clearinghouse is meeting these standards. You will want to encourage your clearinghouse to volunteer for the pilot by sending an email now to the [email protected] mailbox. Any HIPAA-covered health plan or clearinghouse may volunteer. HHS will choose volunteers from emails received by December 13, 2017. HHS will inform you by December 27, 2017, whether or not you're selected to be part of the pilot.

 

-  The CMS is moving ahead with its plan to cancel bundled-payment models that were predicted to save Medicare millions. The agency insisted it still supports moving Medicare from a fee-for-service to value-based system.  Read More

 

Affiliate Association News 

 

-  At the 59^th ASH Annual Meeting, experience these one-of-a-kind educational opportunities, and engage in new education sessions. Don't miss either of the two newly announced U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-sponsored sessions on new drugs. A joint session, co-sponsored by the FDA, will take place Sunday, December 10, and feature  new drug approvals in acute lymphoid leukemia and non-hodgkin lymphoma . Then, on Monday,  December 11, the FDA will host another joint session which will feature  new drug approvals in acute myeloid leukemia .  At both sessions, speakers will give an in-depth analysis of newly approved drugs and their current and future roles in the treatment of these diseases.

 

- ASCO is hosting a series of  QOPI Reporting Registry webinars in December; for more information and to register, visit  www.instituteforquality.org/qopi/about/quality-reporting? 

 

-  ASCO has issued two new guidelines--an update on platelet transfusion for people with cancer and an update on the use of larynx-preservation strategies in the treatment of larynegeal cancer. Read the updates at  www.asco.org/practice-guidelines/quality-guidelines/guidelines/supportive-care-and-treatement-related-issues#/10171 and  www.asco.org/practice-guidelines/quality-guidelines/guidelines/head-and-neck-cancer#/10261, respectively.

-  ASCO seeks applications for volunteers at its ASCO Volunteer Portal  https://volunteer.asco.org . Your application will be used for all upcoming Volunteer Corps opportunities and 2018 committee consideration. Apply by January 31, 2018 for 2018 committee consideration.

 

-  The second annual  ASCO-SITC Clinical Immuno-Oncology Symposium, January 25-27 in San Francisco, will feature more than 40 expert faculty discussing the latest clinical and translational advances in immuno-oncology. These specialists will facilitate in-depth discussions on cutting-edge research currently shaping the clinical application of immunotherapy, as well as provide insight into what this research means for future patient care.

 

-  Registration is now open for the 2018 Community Oncology Conference! The Conference  will center on keeping patients and their needs paramount in transforming our nation's cancer care system. Over two packed days of learning and networking, community oncology practices and allied professionals will gain insights into how to overcome the challenges to patient care that they face on a daily basis. Balancing the many external and internal forces in community oncology requires constant adaption and teamwork. Attending the 2018  Community Oncology Conference  will help keep you current with all that it takes to deliver community cancer care, while remaining focused on expert, tailored care for every patient.  Register Today to Save Your Seat!

 

-  The abstract submitter is now open for the  2018 ASCO Annual Meeting. Submit an abstract by February 13, 2018, at 8:59 PM (PST) to be considered for presentation or publication at this year's Annual Meeting, held June 1-5, in Chicago, Illinois.

 

-  ASH has started accepting applications for the ASH Congressional Fellowship Program for 2018 - 2019. This year-long opportunity will place a hematologist on Capitol Hill to work in a Congressional office and help shape health care and hematology policy. This opportunity will be available for one ASH member starting in September 2018. For requirements, more information or to apply today, please visit the  Congressional Fellowship Program website.

 

-  2018 Highlights of ASH®. Get a synopsis of the top hematology research presented at the latest ASH annual meeting and learn how it can help improve your patient management and care strategies at Highlights of ASH. This is your chance to evaluate your diagnostic techniques and therapeutic approaches and discuss with leading hematology experts and colleagues how new research and clinical updates can be translated into new patient care strategies. Attend the meeting in California on January 12-13, 2018 in San Francisco! For more information or to register, click here.

 

-  NCCN has published updates to the below.  For the complete updated versions, please visit  NCCN.org . Recent updates include: breast cancer (V3.2017), melanoma (V1.2018), multiple myeloma (V3.2018).

-  Pfizer Oncology is committed to helping patient get access to the medications they need.  Pfizer Oncology Together helps provide eligible patients with financial support, regardless of their insurance coverage.  Pfizer Oncology Together has a range of offerings to provide patients with financial support, regardless of their insurance coverage, including:

*            Uninsured: Patients who do not have any form of healthcare coverage

*            Commercially insured: Commercial, private, employer and healthcare exchange patients

*            Medicare/govt insured: Medicare, Medicaid, and other Government insured patients

*            Pfizer Oncology Together also offers one-to-one personalized office support and education to help office best navigate access and reimbursement issues Pfizer Oncology PfizerOncologyTogether.com Phone # (877) 744-5675 Fax # (877) 736-6506. Hours of Operation: Monday-Friday 8am-8pm ET. Please reach out to your Pfizer Representative for additional details .

 

-  The FDA approved Foundation Medicine's first-of-a-kind test that looks for mutations in hundreds of cancer genes at once, instead of just individual genes. The test, which the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services proposed covering, will give doctors a more complete picture of what's driving a patient's tumor. The Associated Press .

 

-  Yesterday, Genentech, the American Cancer Society, Stand Up To Cancer and Rally Health launched a new public health initiative called Cancer Screen Week, December 4-8, 2017. A multimedia press release on this announcement can be found here.

According to the American Cancer Society, screening significantly increases the chances of detecting certain cancers early, when they are most likely to be treated successfully. Individuals can visit http://www.GetScreenedNow.org to take the pledge to get screened and receive a personalized list of recommended screenings, plus a list of simple actions they can take to help lower their risk for certain types of cancers. People who take the pledge are urged to encourage their family and friends to take the pledge as well. Employers and providers can visit www.CancerScreenWeek.org to find turnkey, customizable campaign materials they can use to promote cancer screenings among their employee and patient populations. Governors from 12 states have signed proclamations to make the first week of December Cancer Screen Week and will encourage Americans to talk to their doctor and get their recommended cancer screenings.

 

- Mavupharma, a biotech startup based in Kirkland, Wash., says it has raised a $20 million Series A funding round to develop a unique class of drug that enables the body's immune system to fight cancer. The funding comes from Frazier Healthcare Partners, which led the round, and Alpine BioVentures. It is the first funding the startup has raised since it was founded in 2016.  GeekWire