Urgent Alerts
Urgent Response Requested
MOASC needs to provide the California Congressional delegation with practical expectations from community oncologists regarding the impact of MMA and ASP for 2005. Our Senators and Congressmen will return to their districts in October to campaign, they have requested this information. Please review and complete the following questionnaire and fax (909) 985-8581or email to the MOASC office immediately.
MOASC General Membership Meeting - October 27, 2004, LA, CA
MOASC's General Membership Meeting will be held October 27th, 2004 at the LA Marriott, 333 Figueroa St., LA 90071(Downtown). Our featured guest speakers are Dr. Joseph Bailes, Co-Chair of ASCO's Governmental Affairs Committee and Dr. Bruce Quinn, NHIC California Carrier Medical Director. Reception begins at 5:30pm. Please contact the MOASC office to make your reservations now. The Oncology Leadership Educational Conference will be held from 4:00-5:00 pm prior to the MOASC General Membership meeting at the LA Marriott.
Third Annual Nursing Program - October 23, 2004, Cosa Mesa, CA
MOASC has scheduled the “Third Annual Nursing Program" at The Westin, in Costa Mesa, CA. This program will offer 4.5 CE’s and is accredited by the Cancer Center of Santa Barbara. Contact the MOASC office for registration information.
International Oncology Network MOASC Protocol Retreat - October 23, 2004, LA, CA
MOASC/ION Physician Meeting. Download the Meeting Agenda and Registration Form, or contact the MOASC office for registration information.
SCACO 109th Oncology Seminiar - October 13, 2004
Lung Cancer 2004 - Innovations in Treatment. CME dinner symposium and live telecast. Download the brochure here [1] [2].
Fall Administrator/Mgr - November 9, 2004, Riverside, CA
Our speaker will be Kim Rowe from NHIC. She will be discussing Medicare and Medi-Cal updates. Contact the MOASC office to make your reservations.
Cancer Care Preservation Act
ASCO announced that on Sept. 23rd, 2004, Congressman Charlie Norwood (R-GA) and a group of bi-partisan Members of Congress introduced the "Cancer Care Preservation Act of 2004." The bill would allow the average sales price (ASP) system to go into effect but also ensure that Medicare payments for cancer drugs would not go below 95% of 2004 levels in 2005, and 95% of 2005 levels in 2006. It would also address practice expenses by reducing the 32% transitional payment for practice expense to 27% in 2005 and 22% in 2006, instead of the drop to 3% in 2005 and 0% in 2006 that is currently scheduled. This legislation is intended to provide a floor in payment for cancer chemotherapy services pending the studies Congress has required.
Call Your Respresentatives to Support HR 5144
ASCO filed comments to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the 2005 physician fee schedule rule. The comments highlight the drastic cuts and potential disruptions that will result from changes to the Medicare payments for cancer care as scheduled to go into effect January 1st. In addition, the comments outline ASCO's recommendations for avoiding disruptions in patients' access to cancer care.
NHIC Updates
In November 2004, NHIC will once again prepare and send the 2005 Medicare Participation Enrollment and Fee Schedule information on CD format. No internet access is required to access the CD information.The NHIC September Medicare B Preview recently mailed contains an order form to request the fee schedule on paper. We encourage physicians to wait to submit a request for paper until after they receive the CD, unless they have no CD reader. You can retrieve and complete the enrollment application on the CD and then print it for returning to NHIC via mail. A CD is space-saving and provides easy access to information. The "search and find" command enables you to skip right to the fee you want. You will have more information at your fingertips. Guides for topics such as CMS 1500 Claim Form Completion, EDI, and Provider Enrollment, as well as useful internet links, will be included on the CD.
The September meeting minutes from the Medicare Advisory Forum have been posted.
There is new Billing Article on requirements for Item 11 on the CMS-1500 form.
The Non-Physician Practitioners billing guide has been updated.
The 2005 rates for ASC services effective October 1, 2004 have been posted - Northern CA, Southern CA.
The third update to the 2004 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule is available.
The September edition of the Medicare B Resource is now available.
The Medicare Secondary Payer (MSP) Billing Guide has been updated.
Local Coverage Determinations Updates to LMRP Converted to LCD and New LCD's (effective 10/15/2004)
CMS Updates
Quarterly updates to the Correct Coding Initiative (CCI) edits effective October 1, 2004.
MM3422 - 2005 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Annual
Update Reminder
MM3031a - Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) X12N 837 Health Care Claim Implementation Guide (IG) Editing Additional Instruction http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medlearn/matters/mmarticles/2004/MM3031a.pdf
CMS has published the update to the Medicare deductible, coinsurance and premium rates for 2005. (CR 3463)
CMS has identified Information and Education Resources for Medicare Providers, Suppliers, and Physicians (SE0454).
CMS has again revised the article Incident to Services. (SE0441)
CMS will be conducting large-scale programs under the Voluntary Chronic Care Improvement Program in which private organizations will contract with CMS to provide chronic care services to beneficiaries enrolled in the traditional Fee-For-Services (FFS) Medicare program. (CR 3410)
The 2005 Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) Annual Update Reminder is posted for your information. (CR 3422)
Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment Rates and Wage Index Values Remain in Effect for Fiscal Year (FY) 2005. (CR 3394)
The quarterly updates to the CCI edits, Version 10.3 will be effective on October 1, 2004.(CR 3349)
MMA Drug Pricing Update - Payment Limits for J1000 (Depo-estradiol cypionate inj). (CR 3418)
MMA Drug Pricing Update - Payment Limit for J9045 (Carboplatin Injection) and J9310 (Rituximab Cancer Treatment). (CR 3419)
Informational article on the application of MSP that former spouses of certain federal employees, former employees or annuitants may qualify for enrollment in a health benefits plan under the Federal Employees Health Benefit Plan (FEHB). (CR 3120)
Listing of changes for the third update to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database (MPFSDB).
CMS has revised the article Skilled Nursing Facility Consolidated Billing. (SE0431)
CMS has revised the article Implementation of Skilled Nursing Facility Claim Edits for Therapy Codes Considered Separately Payable Physician Services. (CR2944)
CMS has revised the article Incident to Services. (SE0441)
CMS has released the 3rd Update to the 2004 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Database. (CR 3415)
Here is an update from CMA on the recent CIGNA settlement. For more information, you can simply link to the CMA website (www.cmanet.org) or www.mcaginc.com . The Managed Care Advisory Group (MCAG) has updated the attached .pdf and facillitation lists illustrating their service and recovery possibilities for physicians.
