ACCC, ASCO, ASH, & Palmetto/J1MAC News

The following information has been received by ANCO.


****ACCC NEWS****
Looming Crises in Cancer Care:
26th National Oncology Economics Conference
Association of Community Cancer Centers
September 22-25; Minneapolis, MN

How Will the Proposed Rules from CMS Affect Your Bottom Line & Your Service Line?

Just last week the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its proposed 2010 Hospital Outpatient Department Rule and Physician Fee Schedule. Will reduction in payments be steep and excessive? Will changes affect the way you deliver care? What's new in "physician supervision" and quality reporting requirements?

The 26th National Oncology Economics Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota, September 22-25, 2009, is designed to answer these questions. . . and offers a roadmap to surmount the coming challenges that 2010 holds for both cancer programs and practices.

View the meeting announcement/registration form at http://www.accc-cancer.org/meetings/pdf/meetings_noec2009_brochure.pdf


****ASCO NEWS****
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) invites you to participate in the ASCO Study of Collaborative Practice Arrangements, funded by Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Oncology Metrics, llc, has been commissioned by ASCO and is conducting a survey to inform the study. This study builds on the ASCO report published in the March 2007 Journal of Oncology Practice that projected a significant shortage of medical oncologists in the United States by 2020.

The study aims to address the workforce shortage by exploring collaborative practice models between oncologists and non-physician practitioners (NPPs). It will examine the impact of these models on practice efficiency and quality of care, and explore the satisfaction of physicians, NPPs and their patients with collaborative practice models. With the anticipated shortage of oncologists in coming years, identifying and sharing best practice models for greater efficiency in oncology practices is crucial for our profession, and both providers and patients will benefit.

During the first phase of this project, a brief survey will be administered to collect data about your practice and the services provided by NPPs in your office, as well as the oncologist/NPP collaboration style. If your practice does not employ NPPs, please answer the survey with that information. This survey should take your practice administrator or lead physician 20-30 minutes to complete.

All practices completing the full survey will receive an electronic summary of the survey results. In addition, in appreciation of your time, the first 25 participants completing the full survey will receive a $25 American Express gift card; the next 100 participants will receive a $10 gift card. Please be sure to include your email address as requested at the end of the survey.

Forty practices (representing a diversity of practice models) will then be invited to participate in a detailed analysis of the collaborative practice models being used today. Oncology practices that are selected to participate will receive a modest honorarium.

The individually-identified data collected from this survey will be kept strictly confidential. All reports resulting from this survey will use de-identified information to guard the confidentiality of all participants. Oncology Metrics will create analytical reports including aggregated data from this survey, but will only publish in a manner that obscures data sources, ensuring that readers will be unable to make any supported inference of data to any individual practice.

All survey responses must be submitted electronically. To complete the survey, go to
https://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=mUFMdcthVymqtS9m8JUc1Q_3d_3d

Individuals and practices may receive more than one invitation to participate in this survey; please submit only one survey per practice.

Through your participation, you will be making a lasting contribution to assure high quality care remains available to future oncology patients. If you have questions, please contact Elaine Towle at etowle@oncomet.com or (603) 887-8433.


****ASH NEWS****
Register Now for the 51st ASH Annual Meeting

The American Society of Hematology (ASH) welcomes you to the vibrant, charming city of New Orleans for our 51st annual meeting. Since Hurricane Katrina, major improvements and renovations have been made throughout the city, and there has never been a better time to experience this national treasure. As the largest hematology meeting in the world, this event offers many invaluable benefits, including the opportunity to:

• Grow professionally: This year’s Education Program will offer nearly 30 sessions covering the breadth of hematology, including a number of other intriguing, less traditional topics such as nanotechnology, complementary medicine, and emergency preparedness. The Scientific Program will include 17 sessions on a wide range of topics presented by each of ASH’s scientific committees. The meeting is also a valuable source of continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.

• Learn from the best: At the Meet-the-Expert Sessions, more than 40 speakers from all over the world will facilitate small-group discussions on advances in hematologic malignancies, bleeding disorders, sickle cell disease, transplantation, and many other topics, which will allow participants to present their questions directly to foremost experts in these areas and gain new insights and perspectives.

• Keep abreast of the hottest research: Abstracts selected for oral and poster presentations feature the latest research in the field and are chosen through blind scoring and a peer-review selection process as the most outstanding among the thousands submitted for the annual meeting. Simultaneous Sessions will take place Sunday through Tuesday, including a newly added Monday evening session. Late-breaking abstracts will be presented on Tuesday.

• Further your career: The annual meeting provides a variety of high-quality educational, career-development, and networking opportunities to meet the unique needs and interests of undergraduates, medical and graduate students, residents, and fellows. Trainees are invited to participate in these activities to make the most of the experience.

Review the 2009 schedule and program at http://www.hematology.org/meetings/2009/program/index.cfm


****PALMETTO/J1MAC NEWS****
J1 Provider Contact Center to be Closed for Training Friday, July 10, 2009
The J1 Provider Contact Center will be closed for training on Friday, July
10, from 11 a.m. PST to 3 p.m. PST. The call center will reopen at 3 p.m.
PST.
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7TQN6H3171?opendocument


News and Fact Sheet:CMS Proposed Payment, Policy Changes For Physicians'
Services To Medicare Beneficiaries in 2010
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced today proposed
changes to policies and payment rates for services to be furnished during
calendar year 2010 by over one million physicians and nonphysician
practitioners who are paid under the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule
(MPFS).
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7TQL237108?opendocument


Part B LCD Updates
There have been updates to several Part B LCDs.
http://www.palmettogba.com/Palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7TQMQM1435?opendocument


J1 Open Draft LCD Meeting: California, July 21
Palmetto GBA J1 A/B MAC will host an Open Draft Local Coverage
Determination (LCD) meeting for both Part A and Part B in California, July
21, 2009. The general public is invited to submit information related to
the proposed LCDs for Palmetto GBA's consideration.
http://www.palmettogba.com/palmetto/Providers.nsf/vMasterDID/7TKQ3P7107?opendocument