California Oncology Weekly
"An Oncologists’ Source for Timely Information"
A publication of the
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc.
May 11, 2021
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Letter from MOASC President to Colleagues. MOASC News
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May 13, MJH Life Sciences’ Treatment of Prostate Cancer. MOASC News/ MOASC Programs
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May 13, Oncopeptides’ African American Experience in Multiple Myeloma. Industry News
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May 14, Innovation Station for provider input. Medicare News/Noridian News
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May 15, Dr Neil Love presents Year in Review. MOASC News/ MOASC Programs
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Dear Colleagues,
Thank you for your continued support of MOASC and the advancement of oncology in California. During these uncertain times, we know every aspect of providing care has been disrupted. For the past 30 years, MOASC has fought for their members, and assisted them in adapting to the changes with the necessary tools and resources to be successful, such as:
Knowledge - Keeping You in the Know, through access to the most up-to-date information.
Advocacy - Your Voice in government, with more than 450 oncologists influencing change.
Relationships - Your Partner in Cancer Care, by connecting colleagues to exchange best practices, build and expand your professional network and professional development, and participation in the Clinical Trial Network in promotion & recruitment.
Education - Keeping You Successful. Training Sessions on Administrative, Business and Clinical Issues; Weekly Electronic Newsletter; Practice Management, Billing and Coding Assistance.
As your investment renewal date approaches, we respectfully ask for your continued support by renewing your membership TODAY.
To pay by check: Print the application attached, along with your check payable to: Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc. or MOASC and mail it to: P.O. Box 161, Upland, CA 91785
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the MOASC Office at moasc@moasc.org or 909-985-9061 ext. 1.
With your support, MOASC is able to continue as 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.
Sincerely,
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Ashkan Lashkari, M.D.
President
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc.
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MOASC Member Spotlight
Steven Eisenberg, M.D. cCare San Diego just released a book, “Love Is the Strongest Medicine: Notes from a Cancer Doctor on Connection, Creativity, and Compassion.” In Dr. Eisenberg's oncology practice, the enemy is cancer, but it's also denial, anger, and fear--draining emotions that can interfere with the effectiveness of treatment. Every day, Dr. Steven helps patients fight cancer using both time-tested conventional therapies and innovative medical technologies. At the same time, he helps them overcome negative emotions by cultivating acceptance, love, and self-compassion in a deeply personal way, through laughter, empathy, and the music he plays and sings for and with them.
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MOASC Programs - Save the Dates - All Times are Pacific Daylight
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Thursday, May 13, MJH Life Sciences brings you the Treatment of Prostate Cancer, presented by Dr. David Quinn (USC Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Hospital and Clinics). The Treatment of Multiple Myeloma will be presented by Dr. Joseph Mikhael (Translational Genomics Research Institute, City of Hope Cancer Center).
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This Saturday, May 15, 7:30am– 3:30pm, MOASC’s partnership with Dr Neil Love presents the Year in Review, virtual webinar. This program is accredited for almost 7 hours of CME/MOC-and NCPD programming. You are encouraged to sign-up for this complimentary daylong, fully virtual event.
A multi-tumor approach with 14 expert clinical investigators will review current management strategies and recent advances in breast cancer, AML/MD, chronic lymphocytic leukemia and lymphomas, gastrointestinal cancers, genitourinary cancers, lung cancer and multiple myeloma. In lieu of traditional didactic lectures, the participating faculty will review recent data as well as review cases provided by MOASC clinicians. To learn more or to register for this complimentary virtual program, please visit RTP’s website.
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MOASC Member Communique
MOASC Member is selling a 3 vials of Soliris and a Cell-Dyn Emerald (Abbott) CBC machine with printer, purchased in 2018. If you are interested in these items, please contact Afag Murad-Ali 310-824-4133 for more information.
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Under California Senate Bill 1234, all California employers with 5+ employees are required to either offer a qualified retirement plan or give employees access to the CalSavers program by the following deadlines:
100+ employees: September 30, 2020. (Already passed)
50+ employees: June 30, 2021
5+ employees: June 30, 2022.
With the deadline for employers with 50+ employees (calculated as the average number of employees you reported to the EDD on your past four DE9C filings) fast approaching, don't forget about this important requirement to avoid non-compliance fines. Employers not already offering a retirement plan will need to either register for Calsavers or begin offering an alternative plan to comply. While Calsavers is free to offer, it's not necessarily the best option for your organization. Check with your retirement plan administrator for more information.
If you already offer a retirement plan, you don’t need to sign up for CalSavers, but you do need to certify your exemption.
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Please respond by Friday, May 14! Noridian is looking into the idea of creating an Innovation Station for providers to recommend innovations to Noridian to improve the Medicare Program. Providers have many pain points and insight into things that Noridian may not understand.
Question 1: Would you utilize an Innovation Station on the Noridian website?
Yes
No
Question 2: What Innovations would you recommend for Noridian?
Question 3: Do you represent Medicare Part A, Part B, or DME?
Thank you!
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CR 12269 addresses the addition of the QW modifier to HCPCS code 87636. |
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OPPS Part B Drug Payment and Status Indicator Change for HCPCS Code Q5122
The April 2021 upload of the Integrated Outpatient Code Editor (IOCE) software retroactively changed the "E2" status indicator to "K" for HCPCS code Q5122 [Injection, pegfilgrastim-apgf, biosimilar, (nyvepria), 0.5 mg] for dates of service between January 1 and March 31, 2021.
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April 1 was the effective date for billing and coding of Positron Emission Tomography Scans coverage - R25. This coverage article has been revised and published for notice under contract numbers: 01112 (NCA), 01182 (SCA), 01212 (HI and Territories), and 01312 (NV).
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Due to an April 8-15 systems issue, Medicare did not send Part A and Part B (including Durable Medical Equipment (DME) crossover claims to some supplemental payers. Noridian corrected this issue on April 16. This does impact claims finalized through approximately April 25 for electronic claims and May 11 for paper claims. If Medicare claims were not crossed over, affecting your patients’ supplemental payer (ZIP), bill them using your normal procedures. Note: There are separate tabs for Part A, Part B, and DME.
July Quarterly ASP Medicare Part B Drug Pricing Files and Revisions addresses the Average Sales Price (ASP) methodology, which is based on quarterly data manufacturers submit to CMS.
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July 1 is the effective date of the Quarterly Update to the National Correct Coding Initiative Procedure-To-Procedure edits, Version 27.2. CR12226. Please be sure your billing staffs know of the updates.
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May 12, Differences Between Sole Proprietor and Sole Owner webinar will be presented. This event includes: Provider Enrollment, Sole Owner Enrolling in Medicare - Part B, Sole Proprietor Enrolling in Medicare - Part B.
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May 13, 2021 8:30 AM COVID-19 Medicare Part B Advanced Payment, Repayment and Recoupment Process
If you requested accelerated or advanced payments from Medicare due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, this learning session is for you. CMS expanded the accelerated and advance payment program for financial hardship relief during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Accelerated or advanced payments need to be repaid to the Medicare Trust Fund. During this webinar, Noridian will review the repayment and recoupment process and address your questions.
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May 18, Signature Requirements webinar, includes: Overview and Purpose, Valid Signatures, Signature Guidelines, Signature Log and Attestation Statement, Common Signature Errors, and Resources.
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May 20, the Radiation Oncology webinar includes: Radiation Oncology Overview and Billing, Local Coverage Determinations (LCDs), Radiation Treatment Management, Noteworthy Information, Resources.
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May 26, the Ordered, Referred, and Prescribed Services webinar includes: Ordering/Referring Requirements, Claim Editing for Ordering/Referring Provider, Ordering/Referring Services, Signature Requirements, Medical Records Documentation, Resources and Reminders.
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May 27, the Noridian Medicare Portal (NMP) Eligibility webinar includes: Hours of Availability, Eligibility, MBI Lookup, Resources
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June 3, the Modifier 59, National Correct Coding Initiative and Medically Unlikely Edits webinar includes: National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI), Procedure to Procedure (PTP) CCI Edits, Modifier 59, Medically Unlikely Edits (MUEs), CCI Examples, Resources and Reminders.
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June 16, the Provider Enrollment and Identity and Access: Connections Part 2 includes: Provider Enrollment and Identity and Access: Connections Part 2, Connections, Access Roles, Managing connections
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June 23, join the Live Chat with Provider Enrollment Webinar. The Noridian Provider Outreach and Education (POE) staff is hosting a Live Chat with Provider Enrollment.
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June 30, the Provider Enrollment Options: Opt Out, 855O and the 855I with R webinar includes: Provider Enrollment, Opt Out, CMS 855O, and CMS 855I with CMS 855R
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On April 30, 2021, CMS released part two of the Notice of Benefit and Payment Parameters for 2022 and Pharmacy Benefit Standards final rule (NBPP). The rule finalizes some of the standards in the proposed rule for states, exchanges, non-federal governmental plans, issuers in the individual and small-group markets (including those that participate in the federally facilitated exchange direct enrollment program), and web brokers. Highlights include-Cost sharing annual maximum limits; Special Enrollment Periods SEPs); Pharmacy Benefit Management (PBM) Transparency; and Co-Pay Accumulators.
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Effective May 6, CMS has increased the Medicare payment rate for administering monoclonal antibodies to treat beneficiaries with COVID-19, continuing coverage under the Medicare Part B COVID-19 vaccine benefit. Beneficiaries pay nothing out of pocket, regardless of where the service is furnished – including in a physician’s office, health care facility, or at home.
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HHS, through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), announced a new program called the HRSA COVID-19 Coverage Assistance Fund (CAF). This program covers the cost of administering COVID-19 vaccines to patients enrolled in health plans that either don’t cover vaccination fees or cover them with patient cost-sharing.
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The Federation of State Medical Boards (FSMB) and National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME), co-sponsors of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE), have announced that the USMLE Step 1 score reporting will transition to pass/fail outcomes only for administrations on or after January 26, 2022.
Facebook says it doesn't give drugmakers information about specific users' health, but the platform's algorithms help drugmakers precisely target ads based on the user's "awareness" of, or interest in, a particular condition like cancer, diabetes or multiple sclerosis. Facebook spokesperson Tom Channick says the platform does not use medical history to figure out users' interests, but Facebook users interested in the chemical industry, bourbon and beer got ads for a cancer drug, and those who were members of or interested in patient groups were served ads for associated drugs.
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United Healthcare has published their May Provider News. |
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UnitedHealthcare is waiving cost sharing for in-network and out-of-network COVID-19 tests and testing-related services, including testing-related telehealth visits from Feb. 4, 2020 extended to July 19, 2021 (the national public health emergency period)
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Affiliate Association News |
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May 15, ANCO will kick off their online three part series Hematologic Malignancies Updates: Leukemias, Lymphomas, & Myelomas 2021. Faculty will present the latest research on treatment modalities for hematologic malignancies—leukemias, lymphomas, and myeloma—along with case studies for these diagnoses.
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May 20, is a presentation of ANCO’s new series of events titled: ANCO Connections. This is a series of monthly roundtable presentations on the day-to-day issues of importance to the cancer community by local and national thought leaders. Hosted on the Spatial video chat platform, the hour-long real-time programs also include interactive questions and answers and networking breakout sessions, so attendees can talk about what they’ve heard.
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ASCO News
On May 3, ASCO and ACCC announced plans to test a research site assessment tool to diversify cancer clinical trials patient selection and participation. The tool is designed to address one of the barriers to clinical trial participation: trials not routinely being offered by clinicians to eligible patients. This is a continued collaboration of both societies to increase clinical trial participation among patients from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups.
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June 4-8, ASCO will hold their virtual Annual Meeting and will feature a dynamic program of educational and scientific sessions, showcasing what is possible when the cancer care community comes together to advance cancer research, treatment, and equity for every patient, every day, everywhere. Featuring 48 high-impact broadcast sessions with real-time engagement, live Q&A, and unparalleled learning, browse the list of sessions that align with your interests and expertise, including 175 on-demand presentations from poster and poster discussion sessions, clinical science symposia, and dynamic education sessions.
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June 5, The ASCO Foundation cordially invites you to an evening to Conquer Cancer, at 4:00pm PDT. This virtual event will raise support for cancer research. Please RSVP by May 28, registration is required. Learn how you can make an impact on breakthrough research for every cancer, every patient, everywhere! Together we can conquer cancer.
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Can’t attend? Make a donation now to help conquer cancer
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COA News
COA is partnering with CancerCare on a project to create a toolkit to help employers make better Rx coverage decisions and they need our help. As part of the project, CancerCare is creating video and written case studies about people who have had their treatments interrupted, delayed, or otherwise compromised due to utilization management practices. They are looking for patients willing to share their stories on camera and in print. They currently have a few good examples for issues such as non-medical switching and formulary exclusions, but are specifically looking for a patient who has had to deal with step therapy, and someone who has not filled a prescription or followed their dosing instructions due to high out of pocket costs. If you have a patient suggestion please contact Nick Ferreyros, Director of Communications at
This is a fast timeline, as CancerCare is hoping to film the stories in May. Thank you.
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Oncopeptides announces the most recent NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Multiple Myeloma Version 6.2021, effective April 12, 2021 which has designated Pepaxto® (melphalan flufenamide) as Category 2A.
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Merck announced that the FDA granted accelerated approval to pembrolizumab (Keytruda) in combination with trastuzumab, fluoropyrimidine- and platinum-containing chemotherapy for the first-line treatment of patients with locally advanced unresectable or metastatic HER2 positive gastric or gastroesophageal junction (GEJ) adenocarcinoma.
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Industry Meetings
May 13, 3-4 pm PDT Oncopeptides cordially invites you to a virtual webcast titled, African American Experience in Multiple Myeloma. This presentation will feature a panel of experts discussing key data around the African American Experience in Multiple Myeloma and strategies to remove disparities and barriers to care, followed by a Q&A session. This is not a promotional event.
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May 20, 2021, 6pm PDT, SeaGen cordially invites you to their virtual presentation to review data from HER2 Climb, a global, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial evaluating Tukysa (tucatinib) versus placebo, each in combination with trastuzumab and capecitabine. Presented by: John Glaspy, MD from UCLA. This presentation will review key highlights such as study design, patient characteristics as well as go over safety and efficacy data including PFS and OS and subgroup analysis for patients with and without brain metastases. We will also discuss the mechanism of action and well as the oral dosing schedule.
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May 25, Incyte presents the final of three live disease education webinars for patients diagnosed with a myeloproliferative neoplasm (MPN). Please share with your patients and peers.
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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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