Earlier this month, MOASC and ANCO collaborated and sent a letter encouraging prioritization of individuals with a history of cancer for access to the Covid-19 vaccine, to the Secretary of the Government Operations Agency, Yolanda Richardson. While evidence is still emerging about the nature and severity of illness caused by this novel virus, there have been numerous studies examining the risk of severe COVID-19 disease or death from COVID-19 infection in individuals with a history of cancer. Last week, the following article was published,  stating that beginning March 15, state healthcare providers can begin vaccinating people age 16-64 with underlying health conditions. More details on exactly what this means will be shared shortly. 

Awardees will be announced during the virtual MOASC Annual Oncology Summit, Saturday, March 27, 2021. Thank you.

Please submit your nominations by next Friday, February 26 to moasc@moasc.org

Consider applying for an appointed leadership position on the MOASC Board of Directors. Volunteers are integral to MOASC remaining a leading voice of oncology throughout California. We encourage volunteerism at all levels. The life cycle of a volunteer often starts with small tasks and virtual participation and leads to serving on committees and in leadership positions representing MOASC nationally. Becoming involved in your professional association offers benefits for both members and their profession. The accomplishments of MOASC volunteers are recognized throughout the year, including articles in California Oncology Weekly and recognition at MOASC’s annual conference.

MOASC Programs - Save the Dates - All Times are Pacific

MOASC presents Spotlight On Hematology, February 20. Selected fellows and faculty, from the University of California, Irvine, will present the premier topics from their attendance at the 2020 Annual ASH Meeting. Through virtual conferencing, the presentations will promote collegial discourse among colleagues and networking among attendees.

MOASC’S Annual Oncology Summit virtual webinar, Exciting Advances in Oncology, will be presented on Saturday, March 27, 7:00 am - 1:00 pm (PST). Please join us for a virtual presentation by nationally recognized speakers, that will follow a multi-tumor approach, reviewing current management strategies and recent advances in Breast cancer, Colorectal-Genitourinary cancers, Thoracic cancer and Lymphoma. This will be a great opportunity to learn from experts and network with colleagues. This event is free to all those interested in attending.

Program 1: Feb. 23^rd, with Dr. Ezra Cohen (University of California San Diego Moores Cancer Center)

Program 2: May 11^th, with Dr. David Quinn (USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hospital and Clinics).

Program 3: May 13^th, with Dr. Joseph Mikhael (Translational Genomics Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center)

Medical Oncologist in the San Gabriel valley is looking for part-time employment. Attached please find their CV for your review. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this experienced candidate.

Los Angeles oncology practice seeks temporary, part time RN, Monday & Tuesday, 9am-5pm, for 3 to 3.5 months. Must have experience in mixing and administering chemotherapeutic treatments in clinic. Thank you very much for your consideration.

Have you checked out the event tab on our Facebook & Twitter page? Keep up to date with #MOASC events by “liking” us on our Facebook page. We post easy-to-share events about the latest news in #oncology.

The California Department of Health Care Services has released their proposed permanent policy changes for telehealth use in California’s Medi-Cal program post-pandemic. A fact sheet breaks down the differences between pre-COVID and current temporary Medi-Cal policies in the state, as well as an analysis of the DHCS proposal in comparison.

The California Pharmacists Association has successfully litigated for the suspension of the Medi-Cal drug clawbacks as proposed by Department of Healthcare Services. The proposed Medi-Cal withholds was scheduled to resume on February 8, 2021, but will not go into effect. While there is not a certain date of when the Department may attempt to resume the clawbacks, it will not be possible within the next six weeks.

COVID-19 has increased more than ever before the burdens on physicians, nurses and other healthcare professionals across the state. In response, CMA’s Physician Wellness Program has launched Care 4 Caregivers, which links healthcare workers in need to peer coaches who can provide much needed care.

The California Chamber of Commerce 2021 Business Issues and Legislative Guide, outlining their agenda for California recovery, is available now. An e-book edition also is available to download.

This webinar will review changes to office and other outpatient services (99201-99215) that became effective 1/1/2021. Noridian reps will discuss why the changes have been made, how the changes came about, and what those changes are. If you bill for these types of E/M services then you need to attend this session to make sure you know how to select an appropriate code to represent the service you provide to patients. These 2021 changes are a total rewrite to how you bill these services today. 

This event includes Telehealth services during COVID-19. During this webinar, Noridian reps will provide current updates and address your questions. 

Evaluation and Management - 99202-99215 and Related Services Webinar - February 25, 2021. This event includes: 2021 Change Summary, Office and Outpatient Services, Time Component, Medical Decision Making, and Resources.

The federal information blocking rule, issued by the Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT, takes effect on April 5, 2021. The rule, called for under the 21st Century Cures Act, is intended to enable more widespread access, use and exchange of patient data.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) released new annual statistics, conveying another record breaking 1-year drop in cancer deaths. 

21st Multidisciplinary Management of Cancers meeting to be held March 12-14, 2021. The 2021 program represents a collaborative effort of expert clinicians from the Stanford Cancer Institute, University of California, Davis, University of California, San Francisco, and the Association of Northern California Oncologists. The program will be held virtually.

Earn CME or CE credit through a new series on the applications of genomics. The free virtual course. The free virtual course is the second installment of GENOM (Genomics Essentials in Hematologic Malignancies. These activities are intended for hematologists, hematologist-oncologists, medical oncologists, nurses, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners caring for patients with blood cancers.

Submit your abstracts by February 17, 2021 for ASCO’s virtual Annual Meeting!

The virtual ASCO Annual Meeting is scheduled for June 4-8, 2021. The early registration deadline is April 28, 2021 at 8:59 PM (PT).

To broaden eligibility criteria in cancer clinical trials, ASCO and Friends of Cancer Research (Friends) jointly issued new recommendations with the goal of making clinical trials more accessible to patients. The joint recommendations are detailed in a series of articles published in Clinical Cancer Research, a journal of the American Association for Cancer Research.

In January, ASCO’s PracticeNET program produced a study of the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) final rule, effective January 1, 2021. Aggregating data from 28 PracticeNET member practices of varying size, structure, specialty mix, service mix, and geographic location, the study found that practices could expect an increase in Medicare allowable rates from 3.8% to as high as 27% in some cases. These increases are only applicable to the calendar year 2021 and will be reversed as of January 1, 2022 unless further action is taken.

ASCO updated their resource guide to assist members in accessing critical support needed to sustain the care of their patients with cancer. The information is subject to change as federal agencies continue to update and provide clarifying guidance on these programs, and as new legislation is enacted by Congress and the White House. Decisions about which option(s) to pursue will depend on your individual practice situation. ASCO recommends that you consult with your financial advisor about the options outlined in the guide.

See Community Oncology from a New Perspective at the 2021 Community Oncology Conference! The Free-Virtual conference is April 8 & 9, 2021. With the power of the internet, data and knowledge are readily available. What’s harder to find are the outside perspectives like the ones you’ll find at the Community Oncology Conference. The COA Conference is so much more than just best-in-class educational programs. As a practice administrator, you are always in search of other administrators with whom to work through new care and resource models. Not only does the Conference offer unmatched opportunities to hear from key players in our field, but more importantly, the content is focused on the needs of independent, community oncology practices. Learn about social determinants of health and how other practices are incorporating this data into their workflow. Economic and racial differences greatly affect how we provide care and patient outcomes, get a deeper understanding of how we can address our community’s needs.

Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer v2.2021, has been updated and published by NCCN to reflect the current NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®), and the NCCN Chemotherapy Order Templates (NCCN Templates®).

MOASC acknowledges and thanks G1 Therapeutics as an annual sponsor. Please welcome and THANK them for supporting your organization, when they call or e-mail you.

G1 Therapeutics announced the FDA approval of Cosela™ (Trilaciclib): The First and Only Myeloprotection Therapy To Decrease The Incidence Of Chemotherapy-Induced Myelosuppression. COSELA is the only FDA-approved therapy that helps proactively deliver multilineage myeloprotection to patients with extensive-stage small cell lung cancer being treated with chemotherapy.

Pfizer Oncology invites MOASC members to their upcoming webinar on the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory ALL on February 27, 2021. Topics will include:

AstraZeneca cordially invites MOASC Members to their upcoming Enhertu Advanced Gastric Broadcast Presentation. The program will discover a new indication for Enhertu and how it may help certain patients with unmet need. On March 4, 2021 at 6:30PM EST and 8:30PM EST. 

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.