California
Oncology
Weekly
"Where California Oncologists Go For Answers!"
A publication of the
Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc.
May 26, 2020
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This
Weekly
's Hot Topics
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- MOASC extends membership. MOASC News
- ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program May 29 through May 31. Affiliate Association News
- Thanks to Foundation Medicine for your support as an annual sponsor Industry News
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Earlier this year, Gov. Gavin Newsom had proposed expanding the state's health coverage program to reach more people.
Then along came the coronavirus, and the Medi-Cal cuts began anew. The state's revised budget released last week shows that the Golden State's new economic reality will almost certainly hit the Medi-Cal program with cuts in services and provider rates, as well as rescinded expansions. The list of proposed changes is sweeping, from canceling coverage expansion to older Californians.
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BetterTogetherHealth is a coalition of six large nonprofit health systems in Los Angeles County encouraging people to return to hospitals and clinics to receive care when they need it, regardless of the novel coronavirus pandemic. A Commonwealth Fund report found telehealth visits decreased slightly from mid-April to mid-May, and outpatient visits are increasing in some areas of the US.
HealthLeaders Media
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The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (
ICER) has appointed new members to each of its three independent evidence Appraisal Councils: the California Technology Assessment Forum (CTAF), the Midwest Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council (Midwest CEPAC), and the New England Comparative Effectiveness Public Advisory Council (New England CEPAC). The CTAF Appraisal Council physicians are: Afsaneh Barzi, MD, PhD, Associate Professor of Oncology, City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center; Kathryn A. Philips, PhD, Professor of Health Economics and Health Services Research; Director and Founder, UCSF Center for Translational and Policy Research on Personalized Medicine; Dept. of Clinical Pharmacy/School of Pharmacy, UCSF Institute for Health Policy Studies and UCSF Comprehensive Cancer Center; Joanna Smith, LCSW, MPH, CHA, Chief Executive Officer, Healthcare Liaison, Inc.; Anthony Sowry, BA, Patient Advocate and Lead Volunteer, California, National Patient Advocate Foundation; Senior Vice President, Maritime Container Shipping (Retired). The Institute for Clinical and Economic Review (ICER) is an independent non-profit research institute that produces reports analyzing the evidence on the effectiveness and value of drugs and other medical services. ICER's reports include evidence-based calculations of prices for new drugs that accurately reflect the degree of improvement expected in long-term patient outcomes, while also highlighting price levels that might contribute to unaffordable short-term cost growth for the overall health care system.
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Recent Announcements Published to "Latest Updates" of Medicare Jurisdiction E Part B.
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Upcoming Education: Please see Noridian's schedule of events webpage for upcoming trainings on Telehealth and COVID-19
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JEA
,
JEB
,
JAF
, and
JFB
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CMS Open-Door Forum: Prior Authorization Process and Requirements for Certain Outpatient Hospital Department Services Special Open-Door Forum - May 28
Please join CMS on May 28, 2020 at 10:30 AM Pacific, for an open-door forum to discuss the prior authorization of Certain Outpatient Hospital Department (OPD) Services from the following service categories: blepharoplasty, botulinum toxin injections, panniculectomy, rhinoplasty, and vein ablation. Read the complete update
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Claim Submission: Paper and Electronic Webinar - June 2, 2020
. This event includes: Overview of Electronic Billing, CMS 1500 Form Items, Electronic Equivalents for CMS-1500 Form, Top EDI Errors, and Resources
Read the complete update
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Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) Webinar - June 17, 2020. This event includes: Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Basics, Locating fee schedules, Indicator list and descriptors, Resources, Questions and Answers
Read the complete update
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Duplicate Claims Webinar - June 25, 2020.
This event includes: Claim Denial Reasons and Solutions, Repeat Modifiers, Noridian Medicare Portal (NMP), Resources Read the complete update
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Dear MOASC Members,
As you are aware, our membership year is coming to an end and ramping up for the 2020-2021 year. During these unprecedented times, MOASC continually monitors the public health crisis, the re-opening and economic recovery of the state. The health and well-being of MOASC members, and the patients they serve, are of utmost importance.
In order to support you, your staff and your patients during this difficult time, when cash flow has been negatively impacted, MOASC is extending your membership to October 1, 2020. This will provide you with three months of free membership. The remaining nine months will be assessed at a prorated amount.
MOASC is able to do this with the generous support from our Industry Sponsors: AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Puma Biotechnology, AbbVie, Merck, Verastem, Amgen, Astellas, Bristol Myers Squibb, Johnson & Johnson, Foundation Medicine, Genentech, Genomic Health, Kite Pharma, Eli Lilly, Novartis, Oncology Supply, Regeneron, Sanofi-Genzyme, Stemline Therapeutics and Takeda.
MOASC knows every aspect of your practice has been disrupted and is here to help you adapt to the changes with the necessary tools and resources to be successful.
Together we will continue to advance oncology in California. If you have any questions, please contact the MOASC Office by phone 909-985-9061 ext.1 or at moasc@moasc.org.
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MOASC collaborates with Targeted Oncology™ in an effort to provide members additional clinical education. Each Targeted Oncology™ virtual meeting is designed around a specific disease type, presenting case-based data, driven by peer-dialogue and led by expert physicians. Discussions also include diagnostics, current therapy guidelines and potential treatment options. These meetings are intended for actively practicing oncologists treating patients with the presented disease. Post-meeting and on-site, an HRA® survey will be provided to better understand physicians' educational needs in a regional, live event. You will be offered compensation of $300 by HRA® for your contributions to the meeting and your completion of the short survey.
Multiple Myeloma will be discussed this Thursday, May 28, 2020 at 7:00pm to 8:30pm-PDT
. Caitlin Costello MD, UC San Diego Health, Moores Cancer Center will present to those practicing oncologists treating Multiple Myeloma. Please register www.targetedonc.com/events
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact MOASC at moasc@moasc.org or 909-985-9061 ext. 1.
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The Association of Northern California Oncologists (ANCO) is conducting a survey for Hematologists and Oncologists to learn how COVID-19 is impacting their practice. Please take a moment to complete our brief survey:
https://forms.gle/5jPTGrGtVeSEujVf9
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The Association of Northern California Oncologists (ANCO) continues to monitor the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and is committed to providing the membership the best possible information with which to make clinical and personal well-being decisions.
We encourage member practices to let ANCO know of COVID-19 resources they are depending upon and found useful and how they are responding to COVID-19 and serving their patients and staff at director@anco.org (Use Subject: COVID-19: RESPONSE). Thanks!
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Applications period has been extended for ANCO's Travel Awards to Fellows and Young Clinicians to support attendance at the ASCO Annual Meeting, ASH Annual Meeting, or other national oncology meeting in 2020 or 2021. Awards will be announced 30 days after the deadline; funds will be disbursed during the year in which the national meeting to be attended takes place. Learn more at
https://anco.org/membership/fellow-benefits/
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ANCO physician members, their practice staff, and representatives from ANCO's corporate members must register to access password-protected content (e.g., The ANCO Directory, ANCO meeting materials) on the ANCO website
www.anco.org
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Use ANCO's
job board
to post or search for employment opportunities at ANCO member practices.
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Follow ANCO on Twitter at @ANCO News.
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National News
- On May 15, the Paycheck Protection Program Loan Forgiveness Application was published. The Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), created by the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act)-provides small businesses with less than 500 employees with forgivable, zero-fee loans of up to $10 million or 2.5 times their average monthly payroll costs. The U.S. Department of Health & Human Services updated and clarified the distribution of Provider Relief funds and how to estimate the second allocation of payments. Funds are still available for new loans for your consideration. HHS again updates Provider Relief Fund allocation rules
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Many recipients will be in for a shock, reflecting on the requirements for forgiveness of the PPP loans
. When using real figures to detail the calculations, caution is required by business owners using the funds to understand what amount will be forgiven, and what amount will become a loan.
- If you missed
the "Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Loans - What you need to know!" webinar
,
presented by Jessica Sayles, CPA - Managing Principal, Houldsworth, Russo & Company, P.C., below are the following:
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A Healthcare Financial Management Association survey of hospital executives found almost two-thirds expect full-year revenues will decrease by at least 15%
because of the novel coronavirus pandemic and 20% expect declines of more than 30%. Just 3% of said government stimulus funding would be sufficient to cover pandemic-related costs, and almost 30% said a merger or new partnership has become more likely.
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EHR templates and triggers can improve breast cancer care,
particularly in rural areas, researchers reported in the Journal of Clinical Pathways. Integrating evidence-based clinical pathway templates for breast cancer care into an EHR system "revealed subpar compliance with multiple elements" at the participating hospital, and researchers believe EHR-based triggers will improve compliance.
EHR Intelligence
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Forthcoming application programming interfaces and the enhanced interoperability they will bring could reduce clinician burnout associated with EHR use, according to a report from the Pew Charitable Trusts and American Medical Association. APIs will not only facilitate access to health and medical information for patients, clinicians and researchers, they will also help clinicians analyze lab tests, make medical decisions and quickly find the information they need in EHRs, Pew and AMA experts say. EHR Intelligence
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Global human development -- a measure encompassing health, education and living standards -- appears likely to decline for the first time since the concept was introduced in
1990 because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a report from the United Nations Development Programme. The consequences of the coronavirus have set back school enrollment around the world by four decades, and the disease has surpassed suicide, malaria, road traffic accidents and HIV/AIDS as a cause of death.
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CMS News
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MOASC members have contacted the MOASC Office and MOASC has communicated with CMS regarding Medicare's payment in connection with a physician furnishing a COVID-19 test
to a Medicare beneficiary during the public health emergency (PHE) on Coronavirus. Please read CMS' response
COVID-19 test.
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While CMS finalized several changes to Medicare Advantage and Part D, several proposals are delayed.
The Trump administration is making it easier for Medicare Advantage plans to meet network adequacy standards through telehealth. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services today finalized requirements that will increase access to telehealth for seniors in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans, expand the types of supplemental benefits available for beneficiaries with an MA plan who have chronic diseases, provide support for more MA options for beneficiaries in rural communities, and expand access to MA for patients with End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD). Together, the changes advance President Trump's Executive Orders on Protecting and Improving Medicare for Our Nation's Seniors and Advancing American Kidney Health as well as several of the CMS strategic initiatives.
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CMS hosts varied recurring stakeholder engagement sessions to share information related to the agency's response to COVID-19. These sessions are open to members of the healthcare community and are intended to provide updates, share best practices among peers, and offer attendees an opportunity to ask questions of CMS and other subject matter experts.
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Affiliate Association News
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- At a pre-meeting press conference, ASCO gave reporters a peek at some of the important presentations at the upcoming ASCO20 Virtual Scientific Program on May 29 through May 31.
The topics covered include smoking and lung cancer, maintenance therapy for ovarian cancer, the value of geriatric assessment, changes wrought by the Affordable Care Act, and videoconferencing for caregivers.
- The Financial Impact of COVID -19: Bankruptcy 101, is a FREE webinar brought to you by the California Medical Group Management Association on May 29, 9:00 - 10:00am, PDT. Presented by, Svetlana (Lana) Ros, Esq. - Member, Healthcare Practice Group at Norris McLaughlin, P.A. & Bruce J. Wisotsky, Esq. - Member, Bankruptcy & Creditors' Rights Practice Group at Norris McLaughlin, P.A.
COVID-19 has brought on significant financial hardships across the healthcare industry. Attorneys from Norris McLaughlin law firm will discuss the differences between the types of bankruptcies. They will also examine which chapters may be appropriate for medical practices, including what factors practices need to think about when determined whether to file for bankruptcy. You will: Understand the different Chapters of Bankruptcy; Learn which Chapter of Bankruptcy may be appropriate for a medical practice that is experiencing financial hardships caused by COVID-19; Understand the new sub-Chapter 5 rules in the Small Business Reorganization Act; Learn how the CARES Act temporarily raised the debt ceiling for small business.
HOW TO JOIN THE WEBINAR: Please use the link provided in the confirmation email to complete your registration.
- ASH is accepting nominations through May 31 for the 2020 ASH Advocacy Leadership Institute taking place September 22-23, in Washington, DC. This two-day workshop provides an opportunity for ASH members (who are U.S. citizens) with an interest in health policy and advocacy and a desire to become involved in ASH advocacy activities, to gain a better understanding of the Society and learn about legislation and health policy affecting hematology research and practice. Self-nominations are welcome, and individuals may nominate more than one colleague. For more information and to submit a nomination, visit the
ASH website
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- National Cancer Survivors Day® is Sunday, June 7, 2020. Get a jumpstart on planning your NCSD 2020 event by registering it (free of charge) with the National Cancer Survivors Day Foundation at
ncsd.org/register.
Visit their website at
www.ncsd.org
. To assist you, NCSD national supporter Coping with Cancer® magazine has put together a list of resources specifically for cancer survivors and caregivers. Follow this link to learn about
Coronavirus and Cancer: A list of resources for cancer survivors.
- Register for the June 9 web conference on, "How telehealth can increase access to care and improve healthcare quality." From 11am-12:30pm Pacific, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) presenters will discuss the impact of telemedicine on chronic disease management and the factors that help or hinder the use of telemedicine in urban areas. The Web conference also will cover the evidence about how telehealth can be used routinely and during public health emergencies such as a pandemic.
Learn more and register
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- The International Lung Cancer Congress will held their 21st Annual meeting on July 23-25, 2020 at the Hyatt in Huntington Beach, and is exclusively extending FREE registrations to MOASC members. This meeting will provide current, practical information on the management of lung cancer, as well as a look at the novel agents and strategies with the potential to shape the future of lung cancer therapy. Leading international and national experts will provide perspectives on how to apply the latest data on targeted agents, immunotherapy, surgery, and radiation oncology in the clinic. To register and to view the invitation click
HERE
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- Join the American Society of Hematology to their 2020 ASH Meeting on Hematologic Malignancies on September 11-12, 2020, at the Hilton Chicago to gain knowledge that can help you make an immediate impact in your practice. The meeting will feature top experts in the field, comprehensive clinical content, the latest clinical research, and opportunities to interact with colleagues in an intimate, small-group setting with no competing sessions. The program content will be structured as "How I Treat" presentations, which will showcase each speaker's evidence-based treatment approaches, present cutting-edge scientific data that can be translated into new strategies for diagnosis and treatment, and address what to do in cases where there is no data. For more details or to register, please visit the
ASH Website
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Cedars-Sinai 3rd Annual Gastrointestinal Tumor Conference is on Saturday, September 12, 2020. Concise and comprehensive updates on the most recent research and advances in immunotherapy for gastrointestinal cancers, will be presented. A stellar faculty has been assembled to share developments in precision medicine, research, and immunotherapeutic approaches to the treatment of cancers of the pancreas, liver, and gastric/esophagus. For more information and to register go to:
cedars.cloud-cme.com/gicancercme
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Industry News
- MOASC acknowledges and thanks Foundation Medicine as an annual sponsor. Please welcome and THANK them for supporting your organization, when they call or e-mail you. Foundation Medicine is a molecular information company dedicated to a transformation in cancer care in which treatment is informed by a deep understanding of the genomic changes that contribute to each patient's unique cancer. The company offers a full suite of comprehensive genomic profiling assays to identify the molecular alterations in a patient's cancer and match them with relevant targeted therapies, immunotherapies and clinical trials. Foundation Medicine's molecular information platform aims to improve day-to-day care for patients by serving the needs of clinicians, academic researchers and drug developers to help advance the science of molecular medicine in cancer. www.foundationmedicine.com
- AstraZeneca Pharmaceuticals
announced that the Food and Drug Administration approved olaparib (LYNPARZA) for adult patients with deleterious or suspected deleterious germline or somatic homologous recombination repair (HRR) gene-mutated metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC), who have progressed following prior treatment with enzalutamide or abiraterone.
More Information.
- Bristol Myers Squibb
announced that the FDA's recently approved POMALYST® (pomalidomide) capsules for the treatment of adult patients with AIDS-related Kaposi sarcoma (KS) after failure of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) or in patients with KS who are HIV-negative. This indication is approved under accelerated approval based on overall response rate. Continued approval for this indication may be contingent upon verification and description of clinical benefit in a confirmatory trial(s). Please see full
Prescribing Information, including Boxed WARNINGS.
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MOASC CALENDAR
(Davis, New Dates:
March 11-12, 2021)
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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.
MOASC: P.O. Box 161, Upland, CA 91785 | P (909) 985-9061 | F (909) 804-5006| www.moasc.org
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