California Oncology Weekly
"An Oncologists’ Source for Timely Information"
A publication of the
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc.
January 5, 2021
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Tomorrow, January 6, 12:30pm PST, 2021 Medicare Update webcast with Bobbi Buell Affiliate Association News/ANCO News
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Friday, January 8, nominations due for the MOASC Excellence Awards. MOASC News
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Saturday, January 9, Best of SABCS® USA Western Region MOASC News/MOASC Programs
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Medicare FFS Claims: 2% payment adjustment suspended through March CMS News
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President Trump signed into law the latest COVID-19 pandemic economic relief package which includes Telehealth Program funding. National News
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California federal judge issued temporary injunction blocking MFN drug-pricing rule from taking effect January 1, 2021 National News
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MOASC is pleased to participate in the #ReturnToCare campaign, helping patients understand the need to seek safe, timely tests and treatments amid the pandemic. The #ReturnToCare campaign is an initiative among medical organizations and patient advocacy groups encouraging patients to reschedule those canceled appointments and resume routine and preventative care, particularly in-person care. For patients, this may mean scheduling a child's regular checkup that was bypassed, following up with the dermatologist about a growth you've been concerned about or making an appointment to get a mammogram.
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Nominate your candidate(s) now, for the MOASC Excellence Awards. MOASC would like to recognize MOASC Members, and your staff, in the areas of Excellence in Leadership and Excellence in Healthcare for your dedication to providing quality cancer care during the Pandemic of 2020. MOASC knows you are the backbone of the oncology delivery system. Selflessly, you take on significant personal risk to ensure that your patients continue to receive the care they need. Nominations are for the practice, physician, nurse or other healthcare worker exemplifying dedication, commitment and courage to continue providing care, thereby saving countless lives and making a difference in the community. Please provide a brief summary of why you are nominating this individual or team. Awardees will be announced during the virtual MOASC Annual Oncology Summit, Saturday, March 27, 2021. Please submit your nominations by Friday, January 8, 2021. Thank you!
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Please share your physician and practice news for publication in the California Oncology Weekly to moasc@moasc.org.
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MOASC Programs - Save the Dates - All Times are Pacific
San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium®, with MOASC and ANCO, invite you to attend the Virtual Best of SABCS® USA Western Region, on January 9.
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VerdePharmHealth, a MOASC Industry Sponsor, is the first organization of its kind in the U.S., providing comprehensive multi-specialty group purchasing, clinical solutions, and healthcare technology. An introductory webinar on VerdePharmHealth services is scheduled for January 14, 12:00pm-1:00 pm.
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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.
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MOASC will, once again, be partnering with Dr Neil Love and his CME organization, Research To Practice (RTP), for a daylong, live (now virtual) educational event to take place on Saturday, March 6, 2021. Similar in format to RTP’s Year in Review live series, the virtual webinar will follow a multi-tumor approach with 14 expert clinical investigators reviewing current management strategies and recent advances in breast cancer, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphomas, gastrointestinal cancers, genitourinary cancers, gynecologic cancers, lung cancer and multiple myeloma. In lieu of traditional didactic lectures, the participating clinical investigator panelists will review recent data as well as review cases provided by MOASC clinicians. More information regarding this session will be announced in the coming weeks including a link to register. In preparation for this event, Dr Neil Love and RTP would like to invite MOASC community oncologists to participate in a case-based recorded 60-minute Zoom interview with Dr Neil Love, which will be utilized during the live activity.
We look forward to a great program!
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The MOASC ONCOLOGY SUMMIT, ANNUAL CLINICAL EDUCATION SYMPOSIUM – Exciting Advances in Oncology, is scheduled for March 27, 2021, 7:30am – 1:30pm, at the Hyatt Regency Huntington Beach. MOASC President, Ashkan Lashkari, M.D. will moderate topics presented by experts from City of Hope and UCLA highlighting advances in several areas of oncology including genitourinary, lymphoma, thoracic, colorectal and breast cancers. Please join us for another exciting opportunity to interact with colleagues and learn from recognized speakers.
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CalHealthCares administers loan repayment on educational debt for California physicians and dentists who provide care to Medi-Cal patients, which represent one-third of Californians and half of the state’s children. Eligible physicians can apply for up to $300,000 in loan repayment in exchange for a five-year service obligation. CalHealthCares commits voter-approved, state tobacco tax revenues from Proposition 56 (2016) to support and incentivize physicians and dentists to increase participation in the Medi-Cal program. In two weeks, CalHealthCares will launch the third application cycle. Potential applicants are encourage to attend a webinar in preparation for the next cycle. The first webinar is January 7th.
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Next Tuesday, January 12, 2021 at 8:30 a.m., Governor Newsom's 2021 budget priorities will be outlined in a live, online presentation presented by California Finance Director Keely Martin Bosler. Due to time constraints, questions must be submitted in advance.
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The California Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC) released the Prescription Drug Cost Transparency Report for Measurement year 2019. Senate Bill 17 (Hernandez, 2017), Health and Safety Code section 1367.243, requires health plans and health insurers that offer commercial products and file rate information with the DMHC or the California Department of Insurance (CDI) to annually report specific information related to the costs of covered prescription drugs. The report looks at the impact of the cost of prescription drugs on health plan premiums and compares this data over three reporting years: 2017, 2018, and 2019. Among other findings, the report reveals that health plans paid an increase of $1 billion on prescription drugs since 2017, including an increase of $600 million in 2019.
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Noridian News
Billing and Coding: Chemotherapy Administration Retirement - Effective December 31, 2020 under contractor numbers: 01112 (NCA), 01182 (SCA), 01212 (AS, GU, HI, NMI), and 01312 (NV).
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Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy LCD/Billing and Coding: Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy LCA Retirement - Effective January 15, 2021 under contractor numbers: 01112 (NCA), 01182 (SCA), 01212 (AS, GU, HI, NMI), and 01312 (NV).
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Check Noridian’s “Browse by Topic” for Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Top Errors and Remittance Advice Denial Code Resolution.
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Addition of the QW Modifier to HCPCS Codes 87811 and 87428
CR 12093 informs you of the addition of the QW modifier to the following CMS Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) codes: 87811 and 87428.
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Quarterly Update to the NCCI PTP Edits, Version 27.1, Effective April 1, 2021 CR12110
CR 12110 provides the quarterly update to the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Procedure-to-Procedure (PTP) edits.
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On January 11, 2021 from 12 pm to 4 pm PT, Noridian Healthcare Solutions is hosting a Multi-Jurisdictional Contractor Advisory Committee (CAC) for Molecular Diagnostic Testing for Pathogens. In collaboration with other Medicare Administrative Contractors (MACs) the purpose of the CAC is to provide a formal mechanism for healthcare professionals to be informed of the evidence used in developing a Local Coverage Determination and promote communications between the MACs and the healthcare community. While only the panelists will be allowed to actively participate, Noridian wants you to have the opportunity to hear the evidence and as needed. Should you disagree, submit your concerns, or support, of the evidence presented for consideration to policydraft@noridian.com.
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Part A/B Quarterly Medicare Updates on January 14, will include: CMS and Noridian Updates, January 2021 Quarterly Provider Updates, Change Requests (CR), Payment and Recurring Updates, Special Editions (SE), Resources and Educational Information.
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Webinar COVID-19 Telehealth Services for Part B Providers |
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New Provider New Biller Review Entities and Appeals Webinar on January 14, will include: Appeals Process, Forms, Noridian Medicare Portal (NMP), Post Medical Review Programs, and Resources.
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Provider Enrollment Live Chat Webinar - January 27, 2021, will include: Provider Enrollment Live Chat, Provider Enrollment Basics, Provider Enrollment Applications
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Region-specific events, webinars and training for January are found JEA, JEB, JAF and JFB.
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CMS News
Medicare FFS Claims: 2% Payment Adjustment (Sequestration) Suspended Through March. The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act suspended the payment adjustment percentage of 2% applied to all Medicare Fee-For-Service (FFS) claims from May 1 through December 31. The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, signed into law on December 27, extends the suspension period to March 31, 2021.
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Health care providers must allow patients to use third-party apps to download their own EHRs no later than April 5, and Ben Moscovitch of Pew Charitable Trusts says the new rules will make health data "much more accessible to patients and clinicians alike." The HHS Office of the National Coordinator for Health IT delayed compliance deadlines with other interoperability rules until 2022.
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In preparation for the Program Year 2020 data submission, the Open Payments system will be unavailable during the following dates: Friday January 22, 2021 through Friday January 29, 2021.
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The President signed into law, the federal government's latest COVID-19 pandemic economic relief package which includes $250 million in funding for the Federal Communications Commission's COVID-19 Telehealth Program, established by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and supported 539 projects before running out of money last July. The new funding allocation is accompanied by a mandate for stronger oversight of how funds are distributed, according to an analysis by law firm Foley & Lardner.
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A federal judge has issued a temporary injunction blocking the Trump administration's most-favored-nation drug-pricing rule from taking effect January 1, 2021. Among other allegations, a pending lawsuit against the rule argues it should have gone through the public comment procedure.
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Affiliate Association News |
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ANCO News
Tomorrow, January 6, 12:30pm PST, don’t miss the 2021 Medicare Update webcast with Roberta Buell, MBA, onPoint Oncology on. Learn about Medicare’s regulations for 2021. Bobbi Buell will provide a comprehensive update of changes for Medicare reimbursement of oncology services, including fee schedule, coding/billing, evaluation and management changes for 1/1/2021, and incentive program updates.
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Virtual Best of San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium® – West, January 9, 2021.
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21st Multidisciplinary Management of Cancers: A Case-Based Approach is taking place virtually on March 12-14, 2021.
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ASH News
ASH has scheduled the Highlights of ASH series taking place virtually in March 2021. Special focus on the North American region will take place during one week of the series. More information on agenda and for registration to follow.
COA News
Read in coming COA President, Kashyap Patel, MD’s, New Year’s message
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Registration is now open for the virtual 2021 Community Oncology Conference, April 8-9, 2021
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It is critically important that COA has your financial support to continue fighting on your behalf through 2021. COA continues to make an impact in Washington, DC. Throughout 2020, COA worked to ensure that any COVID-19 relief passed in Washington, DC included community oncology practices. Notably:
A major win in the suspension of the sequester cut to Medicare reimbursement for the year, which COA fought very hard to win.
Fought for Provider Relief Funds for community oncology and provided guidance and assistance to practices to help navigate Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans, as well as offer insight into compliance issues.
Telehealth regulations successfully loosened, and reimbursement increased, with COA worked closely with CMS to advocate for these changes.
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MGMA News
When the initial effects of COVID-19 started in February/March, MGMA Stat shifted. MGMA Stat, MGMA’s weekly national poll to healthcare leaders dissects issues in medical practice management, and has helped chronicle the turbulence, innovation and resilience that will make 2020 so memorable, no matter how much we might want to forget the worst of it. MGMA Stat invites practices to look to the future, by looking at the lessons of the past. Read through MGMA’s look back and visibility into what's to come.
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Would you like to join MGMA Stat’s polling panel to voice your opinion on important practice management topics? MGMA Stat is a national poll that addresses practice management issues, the impact of new legislation and related topics. Participation is open to all healthcare leaders. Results of other polls and information on how to participate in MGMA Stat are available
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Puma Biotechnology, Speaker Program invites you to their Post-SABCS Web Series for NERLYNX® (neratinib) on January 12, 13 & 14. Click on preferred date below to register.
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SeaGen cordially invites MOASC members to their upcoming ADCETRIS® (brentuximab vedotin) National Broadcast event. This broadcast will be an engaging event featuring the Chair, Scott Smith, MD, PhD, FACP, LUMC and Panelists: Elizabeth Brém, MD, UCI and Aaron Goodman, MD, UCSD, on Thursday, January 21, 2021, with 2 sessions. To register contact Stacey Dominguez at 310-560-1104 or email sdominguez@seagen.com.
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Incyte presents three live disease education webinares for patients diagnosed with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN), on January 13, 20 & 28. Please share with your patients and peers.
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Immunomedics informed MOASC members that is now a full subsidiary of Gilead Sciences Inc. Also, Effective for dates of service on or after January 1, 2021, CMS has issued a new J-Code for TRODELVY (sacituzumab govitecan-hziy) and the new billing increment to 2.5 mg. |
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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.
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