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IMPORTANT NOTICE TO ONCOLOGISTS
NO MORE DUES!
The Maryland and District of Columbia Society of Clinical Oncology now offers FREE professional memberships to physician oncologists. Click here for the flyer. As a member, you get the following benefits:
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UPCOMING EVENT: March 4, 2021
SAN ANTONIO BREAST CANCER UPDATE
in collaboration with the Maryland Breast Cancer Coalition
Register HERE.
Resources - COVID-19 Vaccinations for Physicians
District of Columbia:
Maryland:
http://newsmanager.commpartners.com/msms/issues/2021-01-04-email.html
Most Favored Nation Interim Final Rule Will Devastate Cancer Care
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) filed an amicus curiae brief in support of motions in three cases to stop the Most Favored Nation (MFN) model from taking effect on January 1, 2021. ASCO’s brief urges the court to stop implementation of the model, citing its devastating impact on patients. CMS projects that the model will cause 19% of beneficiaries to lose access to its 50 targeted drugs, 38 of which are used in cancer treatment. In addition, ASCO estimates that independent community oncology practices will see a 52% average loss of Medicare drug revenue once the model is fully phased in and that hospital outpatient oncology departments will see an average loss of 50% by year four of the model. Read the Society’s full amicus curiae brief and comments submitted to CMS about the MFN Model.
Current News
- January 7, 2011 - Congress recently passed an end-of-year legislative package that provides federal funding for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 and includes numerous provisions that will directly impact patients with cancer and their entire cancer care team. Find out more
- December 10, 2020 - Community Oncology Alliance Applauds Supreme Court Ruling Supporting State Regulations of PBMs, Find out more
- October 13, 2020 - The Latest Circuit Court Ruling on 340B Program Effect on Practices, Find out more
- October 8, 2020 - On October 2, after consultation with public health officials, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Alex Azar, pursuant to the authority vested in him under section 319 of the Public Health Service Act, renewed the public health emergency effective October 23, 2020.
- October 6, 2020 - Supreme Court scrutinizes Arkansas law that regulates PBM payments to pharmacies, Find out more
The Pfizer Oncology team has created a Speaker Program On Demand Site that now houses a program presented by Jennifer R. Klemp, PhD, MPH, entitled Addressing Cancer Health Disparities: Understanding Drivers and Looking Toward Change. This program is for healthcare professionals and illustrates the disparate health outcomes that exist across the cancer care continuum. The program provides an understanding of the factors contributing to healthcare disparities, the effect on health outcomes, and potential approaches to overcoming barriers that may negate optimal cancer care in vulnerable populations. Click here to review the program brochure.
Member News
Arun Bhandari, MDCSCO board member, has just been named to serve on the Maryland Health Care Commission. He also serves on the Maryland State Council of Cancer Control. Dr. Bhandari is with Chesapeake Oncology Hematology Associates in Annapolis.
ASCO Virtual Advocacy Day - September 16, 2020
Click here to view the attendees.
ONLINE RESOURCES
RxVantage recently shared a panel discussion of oncology experts from around the country who have exhibited impressive leadership amid COVID-19. These executives met via video conference to share experiences, discuss strategies that have worked (as well as those that have not), and their plans for moving forward. Click below to view each presentation:
- Oncology Operational Excellence During COVID-19
- Oncology Leaders Address Reopening: Oncology Operational Excellence Roundtable
- RxVantage COVID-19 Reopening Playbook: Customizable protocols to safely reopen your practice for vendor/rep visits
Corporate Members
Affiliates
New Strategies magazine - Palliative Care Done Right
Click here for past issues of Strategies
On October 21, 2020, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced plans to delay the start date of the Radiation Oncology (RO) model until July 1, 2021. The change comes following stakeholder concerns—the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) among them—about the challenges of implementing the model by the initial start date, January 1, 2021, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Learn more
ASH Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts
Help ASH eliminate inequities in hematology by getting involved with our diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts. ASH has created an online library related to its programs in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, which includes a growing archive of stories from diverse voices in hematology.
Learn more
CMS Releases Physician Fee Schedule Proposed Rule
On August 3, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the CY 2021 Physician Fee Schedule proposed rule. CMS is not proposing any changes to the values of the outpatient evaluation and management (E/M) services finalized in the CY 2020 rulemaking. If this rule is finalized as proposed, hematology/oncology is projected to see an increase of 14% in 2021. The proposed rule also includes significant discussion around telehealth.
See Detailed Summary Here