ASCO, ASH, CMS, & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.

****ASCO NEWS****
The American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) Cancer Policy Today was published and is available at http://view.exacttarget.com/?j=fe5d157875610078771d&m=ff311d707460&ls=fdf912757061027e75117274&l=fe5d15747c6d027d7717&s=fe1f15797d620479731d75&jb=ffcf14&ju=fe23167174620c7c7d1c79. ANCO is a state/regional affiliate of ASCO.

This edition features:

ASCO and Komen for the Cure Announce Diversity in Oncology Initiative

NIH Policy for Fiscal Year 2009 Grant Submissions

Sen. Cardin Attends Maryland/DC State Society Meeting

CMS Announces Permanent Recovery Audit Contractors

CMS Announces "Medically Unlikely Edits"

OIG Issues 2009 Work Plan

Drug Administration CPT Code Changes for 2009

ASCO/AMA Survey Update


****ASH NEWS****
The American Society of Hematology's (ASH) Advocacy Update was published and is available at http://www.hematology.org/policy/advocacy/10162008.cfm#5. It features:

NIH Funded at Current Level Through March 2009; Budget Outlook Uncertain

Presidential Candidates Share Views on Health Issues

New NIH Policy Reduces Number of Grant Application Resubmissions

ASH Submits Comments to NRC on the Security and Continued Use of Cesium-137 Chloride Sources

Medicare Clarifies Clinical Trials Policy

Dr. Zerhouni to Step Down as NIH Director

NIH Releases Analysis of Comments on Public Access Policy

Visa Waiver Program Extended

ASH Grassroots Network Breakfast


****CMS NEWS****
Version 2.5 of the MREP software is available for download at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/AccesstoDataApplication/02_MedicareRemitEasyPrint.asp on the CMS website. For a description of the changes in this version, see the “What’s New” section of the MREP User Guide – Version 2.5 at http://www.cms.hhs.gov/AccesstoDataApplication/Downloads/EasyPrintUserGuide.pdf.

Note: The latest Codes.ini file is now available. This file is necessary when the MREP software is distributed.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is pleased to announce a new E-Prescribing Incentive Program section page on the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) webpage at www.cms.hhs.gov/pqri/03_EPrescribingIncentiveProgram.asp#TopOfPage on the CMS website. This new section page will provide information about the new E-Prescribing incentive program that was authorized by the Medicare Improvements for Patients and Providers Act of 2008 (MIPPA).

Included on this page in the Downloads section is an “Introduction to E-Prescribing Incentive Program” Fact Sheet that describes the MIPPA provisions for the E-Prescribing incentive program. Additional information about the E-Prescribing incentive program and how to qualify for the E-Prescribing incentive for the 2009 reporting year will be posted in early November.

Information is continually being added, so please visit the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative webpage at https://www.cms.hhs.gov/PQRI on the CMS website often.


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
2009 Medicare Participation Enrollment & Fee Schedule Information
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/providers.nsf/DocsCat/Providers~Jurisdiction%201%20Part%20B~Articles~General~2009%20Medicare%20Participation%20Enrollment%20Fee%20Schedule%20Information?opendocument

We are again excited to provide you with a CD-ROM packed full of useful
information, which will include the 2009 Medicare Participation Enrollment
form along with some valuable additional information. Fee schedule
information will only be available on our Web site. We anticipate that the
CD-ROM will be mailed in November 2008.