Dear Physicians:

Thank you for your interest in the Medical Oncology Association of Southern California, Inc (MOASC). For the last twelve years we have represented more than 300 oncologists in California . Our association has succeeded in affecting payer policy and helped our members understand how to bill more efficiently and collect payments for the services they have been appropriately rendering to their patients. Our quarterly meetings with the California Medicare intermediary, National Heritage Insurance Company (NHIC), and the establishment of an "oncology desk" has opened the lines of communication to make certain that the carrier is correctly reimbursing us for our services, and is complying with standards of care in the community. We also meet with the California Department of Health Services (Medi-Cal), Blue Cross of California, and Blue Shield of California. In this regard, we have succeeded in expanding the allowable coverage for many drugs and services, resulting in more appropriate reimbursement. We are viewed by the payers as representative of the California oncology community.

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. We are sure that you recognize that this is crucial if the oncologist is to continue to be of maximum benefit to patients, and if we are to enjoy a satisfying professional experience as free as possible from hassles of unnecessary and inappropriate denials of payment or denials of patient access to needed treatments. We believe we have, therefore, provided meaningful service for our members and their patients. As we grow, we can expect our mandate and influence to increase.

Our association has a Board of Directors chosen from those who participate in our meetings and who desire to represent us. We, therefore, invite you not only to join, but to actively participate, and, if you wish, ask to be a member of the Board of Directors.

Membership will entitle you to the following privileges:

Receive:

•  Unlimited telephone consulting services;

•  On-site consulting services in practice & office management, billing, reimbursement, HIPAA, CLIA, fraud & abuse compliance, and OSHA concerns. ( 2 hours per practice);

•  MOASC Drug Grid;

•  MOASC News Briefs;

•  Online access to billing tips and policy changes;

•  Representation at national meetings

Participate in:

•  The California Oncology Consortium Purchasing Organization (GPO), has entered into purchasing contracts with HOLN, ION, and OTN for drugs and medical supplies at a discounted rate.

•  A subscription to the California Oncology Consortium ListServ® which consists of two e-mail-based Information and Discussion Lists specifically geared toward the oncology professional. The two Lists are: Clinical List (Physician only), Administrative/Manager List (All MOASC members and Industry Circle members). The benefits of subscribing to the ListServ® are that you are able to ask questions, get answers, interact with your colleagues via e-mail, and receive timely national and state information affecting your practice.

•  A subscription to the MOASC ListServ which is for MOASC members only.

•  Access to the MOASC Web Site www.moasc.org and www.californiaoncology.org you will find updates on NHIC/Medicare, Legislative updates. An updated version of the 2003 Drug Grid is available for reference & downloading;

•  Access to the "Members Only" site. On this site you will have access the MOASC News Briefs and Minutes of meetings and much more;

•  General Membership meetings;

•  Administrator/Manager meetings;

•  Clinical Programs;

•  Nurse CEU Programs.

Thank you very much, in advance, for joining in our collegial association. We look forward to seeing you at our forthcoming meetings.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to contact our office at (909) 985-9061.

Sincerely,
Robert A. Moss, M.D., MOASC President

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