MOASC Membership Renewal Underway

We would like to thank you for being a loyal member and/or supporter of MOASC, and invite those who are not yet members, to join our collegial association and remind current members to renew your membership today.

Our association has a Board of Directors chosen from those who participate in our meetings and who desire to represent us. Our association has the purpose of representing oncologists in advising third party payers and governmental agencies regarding appropriate reimbursement for physician services, and insuring access to appropriate oncologic care for our patients.

NEW 07/30/07

<< Learn More About MOASC Membership Advantages >>

MOASC Sends Comments Regarding NCD on ESA to CMS NEW 08/17/07

MOASC Chariman of the Board, Dr. Cary Presant submitted formal comments on behalf of member physicians to CMS regarding the NCD (National Coverage Determination) on ESA's (Erythropoetin Stimulating Agents).

Read the Comments >>

New MOASC Calendar Service Available Online NEW 08/17/07

This is to advise you that the 2007-2008 calendar has been updated for your information The URL on the moasc calendar is: http://moasccalendar.webexone.com.

Contact the MOASC office for log-in and password information.

OPS Program Opportunity for MOASC Members NEW 08/17/07

Dear MOASC Members:
Please review the invitation to attend an informational webcast from OPS.  They will present to you an opportunity to ensure economic success of your practice while remaining focused on patient care.

Join in on the webcast on August 22 at 12 noon. Get the invitation here >>

ESA FAQ's >>

Follow-Up on DMHC Blue Cross Hearing NEW 08/17/07

Dear MOASC Members,

MOASC’s Reimbursement Director, Pat Tyler,  and I attended the Department of Managed Care (DMHC) hearing regarding Blue Cross of California on Tuesday, 08/07/2007.  MOASC has already submitted their comments to the DMHC regarding the problems encountered by our members and their patients. There were persons, in attendance, who also spoke on behalf of oncology, including Los Angeles County Medical Association President, David Aizuss, M.D. For your information, below, and attached, are articles that accurately convey the hearing.

Last week I distributed information to you regarding MOASC’s meeting with Dr. Kamil of Blue Cross.  If you did not receive the synopsis, please let the MOASC office know, and we will forward the information.

MOASC expects to continue to work with membership and communicate concerns to Blue Cross to ensure the hassles of delivering cancer care are alleviated.

Your continued comments to the MOASC office are appreciated.

Sincerely,
Mariana S-B Lamb, M.S.
Executive Director

================================

LA Times Article on Hearing >>

Cumulative Articles on Blue Cross >>

Blue Cross Anthem Merger Agreement 2004 >>

PQRI Update NEW 08/17/07

Update on PQRI from CMS: http://www.medicarenhic.com/whats_new/current/cmspqriupdate_0807.pdf

Revised Information for PET Scan Coding - Contractor Instruction NEW 08/17/07

Please review the new PET scan coding guidelines. Read More >>

Save The Date!
Oncology Congress /ChicagoSupportive Oncology Conference - Posted 07/25/07

It is my pleasure to invite you to the Oncology Congress and the Chicago Supportive Oncology Conference.

Oncology Congress is September 6-9 at the Hilton San Francisco.  MOASC will host the Congress welcome reception on Friday evening where we hope to see many of our members.

Read More Details >>  
Get the Brochure >>

MOASC Members Receive Complimentary or Discounted Rates to Attend Oncology Conferences

The Oncology Congress presents comprehensive, practical information focused on patient care. Developed by a diverse board of advisors representing centers of excellence, the content focuses on current research findings and their impact on clinical practice and strategies for treating a wide range of cancers. This program encourages peer-to-peer interaction and debate. September 6-9 at the Hilton San Francisco . The first 50 members to register for Oncology Congress will receive complimentary registration, after that the rate is $695 for doctors and $295 for nurses – enter priority code VIP4 when registering to receive this discount.

While the Oncology Congress focuses primarily on curative therapies, with a handful of sessions available for discussion of the essential supportive care measures, the Chicago Supportive Oncology Conference concentrates on providing oncologists and clinicians an overview of state-of-the-art symptom and side-effect management, communication issues, and end-of-life care for patients with cancer. September 27-29 at the Hyatt Regency Chicago . Our discounts for this meeting are $295 for MDs, $195 for nurses and physician assistants, and free for fellows. Use priority code SP5 when registering at www.chicagosupportiveoncology.com.

Save The Date!
A Special Invitation from McKesson Specialty Oncology Services and MOASC - Posted 07/25/07

Learn how to achieve clear, concise, practice-level reimbursement analyses to help improve your bottom line and confidentially benchmark your financial performance against similar practices. Join us for a Web demo to see how TotalView™ will help your practice better understand claims and remittance data to maximize reimbursement for procedures performed at your facility.

Tuesday, September 11th 12pm, Pacific Time or
Wednesday, September 19th 1pm, Pacific Time

Download the Flyer >>

MOASC Partners With RemitData - Posted 06/20/07

Using just a few of RemitDATA’s management tools you too will be able to answer the key questions of successful practices, such as:

-How often am I being denied – for what reasons – on which procedures – by which payers?
-How do my reimbursement metrics above compare to my peers?
-Are we leaving any money on the table and if so where?
-How can I maximize my cash flow, and decrease my costs of collections?

Help MOASC set the standard of successful practices by utilizing this exciting new partnership with RemitDATA. And, for a limited time, MOASC members can try RemitDATA for 30 days at NO CHARGE to see if it would be a great resource for your practice.

Please call 866-885-2974 x 2011, or email mtrogdon@remitdata.com, or click www.remitdata.com for more info. RemitDATA – helping you ‘Get What’s Coming To You!’

See what practices have to say >>

Special J-Code Review Offer for MOASC Members - Posted 06/19/07

Leaverage the expertise of an oncology consultant pharmacist and enhance your practice performance. By working with Oncology Pharmaceutical Services, you can benefit from an on-site consultant pharmacist, powerful network drug contracting and related services.

To make arrangements for this J-Code Review offer please call Randy Harken at (310)-694-6871 or email at randy.harken@usoncology.com

NOA/McKesson Invitation for Oncology 2007 Update NEW 08/17/07

Oncology Update 2007 call-in program:   
PQRI, NCD on ESAs and other reimbursement news 

Wednesday, August 22
12:00 p.m. PT / 2:00 p.m. CT / 3:00 p.m. ET   

To join the call: Dial 877-531-2988
Ask the operator for the Oncology Update 2007 call

Read the announcement >>

Prostate Cancer Research Institute - Posted 06/19/07

The Prostate Cancer Research Institute, an organization dedicated to educating Prostate Cancer patients and their families, is proud to announce the 2007 National Conference on Prostate Cancer, taking place Friday, September 7 through Sunday, September 9, 2007 at the LAX Marriott Hotel. www.pcri.org.

Download the brochure and registration information packet >>

Save The Date!
Seventh Annual Women's Cancer Conference - Posted 06/30/07

November 2-4, 2007
Wynn Hotel & Casino
3131 Las Vegas Blvd.
Las Vegas, NV 89109

Register Online Now!

Overview/Need
Breast, cervical and ovarian cancers are three of the most common cancers among American women, with over 212,060 newly diagnosed cases and 45,658 deaths projected for 2007 by the Cancer Institute.  Colorectal cancer will be diagnosed in another 74,630 American women and an estimated 26,180 will die of the disease by the end of 2007, making colorectal cancer the third leading cause of cancer death among American women. Recognizing that patient quality of life and survival rates for these cancers are significantly improved when they are detected early and treated appropriately. There is a need for physicians to remain current on the rapidly evolving approaches to their diagnosis and treatment.  Read More >>

Save The Date!
New Technologies and Innovative Treatment Strategies for Genitourinary Malignancies - Posted 06/30/07

September 28 to 30, 2007
Hotel Del Coronado
San Diego, California

Register Online Now!

Overview
Cancers of the genitourinary (GU) tract, namely prostate, bladder and kidney cancer, are quite common. Prostate cancer is the most frequently diagnosed solid tumor in men and second only to lung cancer as the leading cause of cancer related deaths among men in the U.S.. The American Cancer Society projected 61,420 new cases of bladder cancer and 13,060 bladder cancer deaths in the U.S. in 2006.  Since the 1950s, kidney cancer has increased at a rate of nearly 2 percent per year in the U.S. with 38,890 patients being diagnosed in 2006 and 12,840 dying from the disease. Read More >>