The much-discussed Live Healthy legislative package (SB 7016) made significant changes to the Florida Reimbursement Assistance for Medical Education (FRAME) Program, including the addition of a new 25-hour volunteer requirement. On October 14, 2024, the Florida Department of Health announced that volunteer hours spent on disaster relief efforts will now count toward this requirement. This…
Millions of Americans with cancer likely struggle to access some of the most advanced, state- of-the-art treatments being tested in clinical trials for their disease, according to a new analysis from the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO). The 2023 State of Cancer Care in America Snapshot and corresponding manuscript found 70% of U.S. counties…
NCCN and the NCCN Foundation proudly announce plans to make every book in the library of NCCN Guidelines for Patients available in Spanish; with select editions available in additional languages as well. NCCN publishes the NCCN Guidelines for Patients library through funding from the NCCN Foundation.
Last month, a federal judge ruled that a Medicare policy, which essentially prohibits oncology practices from delivering medications to patients at home, can stand. Some experts are concerned that leaving this Medicare policy in place will threaten access to cancer drugs for many patients, especially older individuals. The US District Court judge, who dismissed the…
ASTRO announced the recipients of its 2024 research grants and fellowships, including awards co-sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS), the LUNGevity Foundation, the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA), the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM), the RTOG Foundation/NRG Oncology and AstraZeneca. Through these strategic partnerships, these awards recognize and support the outstanding efforts of…
ASCO announces the publication of the first issue of JCO Oncology Advances (JCO OA), a new, fully open-access, interdisciplinary journal dedicated to publishing pioneering research in clinical and translational oncology. This launch marks a significant milestone in ASCO’s commitment to enhancing accessibility to innovative cancer research worldwide. “We are delighted to introduce the global oncology…
Recent updates to the ASCO palliative care (PC) guidelines underscore the necessity of providing equitable, accessible, and high-quality supportive care to patients with cancer. These guidelines emphasize the critical role of PC in addressing the multifaceted dimensions of suffering experienced by patients and caregivers. Dr. Cristiane Bergerot, Dr. Mazie Tsang, and Dr. Ramy Sedhom discuss…
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS), a member of the Comprehensive Cancer Control National Partnership, has launched their 2024 State of Cancer Survivorship Survey, and we’re seeking your help to reach as many voices as possible. Why This Matters: The insights gathered through this survey will play a crucial role in shaping advocacy, support…
It’s a presidential election year, and that means policy activity has ramped up on all fronts. While you’ve been busy caring for patients, COA has been working hard on your behalf. Check out the COA Mid-Year Update to stay up to date on all things cancer policy. Check out the COA Mid-Year Update to stay…
Growing awareness of the benefits of palliative care in patients with cancer has prompted ASCO to update its recommendations for clinicians, patients, caregivers, and health-care organizations on integrating palliative care in oncology. The updated guideline reinforces prior recommendations in the 2016 guidelines on early integration of palliative care in oncology while expanding the role of…
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions held a hearing last week on addressing medical debt, titled, “What Can Congress Do to End the Medical Debt Crisis in America?” The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACS CAN) submitted comments to the committee ahead of the hearing calling on Congress to put forth…
The members of the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) recently elected five new officers to ASTRO’s Board of Directors: • Neha Vapiwala, MD, FASTRO, President-elect • Jean Wright, MD, FASTRO, Clinical Affairs and Quality Council Vice Chair • Andrea Ng, MD, MPH, FASTRO, Education Council Vice Chair • Christopher Corso, MD, PhD, Government Relations…
Are you interested in adding oncology patient navigation services to your practice or health system? If so, join the American Cancer Society (ACS) and American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) at 3:00 PM Eastern on Monday, July 29, for Patient Navigation: Innovative Models, Workforce Strategies, and Best Practices for Sustainable Success. This free, interactive webinar…
COA applauds the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) for today’s release of an interim report examining the negative impact of pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) on the accessibility and affordability of prescription drugs. The interim FTC report details what COA has long known about these dangerous, highly consolidated middlemen. Today, only three PBMs control nearly 80 percent…
Each August, Congress and state legislatures recess so they can take time away from Washington to meet with constituents in their states and districts. This presents a prime opportunity to engage them on the issues impacting community oncology. Join COA’s advocacy experts on Tuesday, July 16, at 12 p.m. ET to learn about the Sit…
ASCO thanks lawmakers for their bipartisan support of federal cancer research in the House Appropriations Committee’s Labor-HHS draft bill for Fiscal Year 2025. ASCO urges increases in funding for the National Institutes of Health (NIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI), and other agencies to further advance scientific research. For FY 2025, the House is allocating $48.581…
On July 10, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and the Quality Payment Program (QPP) proposed rule for Calendar Year (CY) 2025. CMS also released the CY 2025 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (OPPS) and Ambulatory Surgical Center (ASC) Payment System proposed rule. These proposals…
The Evidence Based Medicine Committee has delegated the identification and prioritization of guideline topics to Guideline Advisory Groups (AGs). The AGs will consider topics suggested by the ASCO membership when revisiting current priorities in the fall. To submit a new topic or guideline update for consideration, please complete this form. Please make your topic submission…
COA loudly applauds the United States House Committee on Energy and Commerce for their bipartisan markup and unanimous 43-0 passage of H.R. 5526, the Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act of 2024. Now we urge House leadership and the Senate to continue momentum on fixing this important issue for patients. COA is particularly grateful to…
ASTRO published today an updated clinical guideline that details best practices for using radiation therapy to treat patients who have oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC) caused by the human papillomavirus (HPV). Recommendations address radiation therapy as a standalone curative treatment or in combination with surgery and/or chemotherapy. The guideline also covers treatment planning and response…
On June 17, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that payments under the Accelerated and Advance Payment (AAP) Program for the Change Healthcare/Optum Payment Disruption (CHOPD) will conclude on July 12, 2024. CMS will continue to monitor for other effects of the cyberattack on Medicare providers and suppliers and will continue to…
NCCN announced new recognitions for the award-winning library of NCCN Guidelines for Patients® and NCCN Patient Webinars. The NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Colon Cancer earned a Gold Award from Hermes Creative Awards for Electronic Media/Social Media/Interactive Media/Digital Publications/Messaging.
ASCO has updated two guidelines rapidly based on Annual Meeting plenary presentations. In early June, the Management of Stage III NSCLC posted. Recommendation 5.8 states that patients with unresectable stage III NSCLC with an EGFR exon 19 deletion or exon 21 L858R mutation may be offered consolidation osimertinib after definitive chemoradiotherapy*. (Evidence quality: Moderate; Strength…
ASCO has recently updated its position statement on the home infusion of anticancer therapies, in response to updates to ASCO/ONS antineoplastic administration-related safety standards. You can read the statement on home infusion of anticancer therapies here. For ASCO’s full library of policy and position statements, please Read More HERE>>
Delegates from ASCO participated in the 2024 Annual Meeting of the American Medical Association (AMA) House of Delegates (HOD) June 7-12 in Chicago. The AMA HOD is the principal policy-making body of AMA and meets twice a year to discuss pressing issues and establish AMA policies. ASCO created and was the primary sponsor of six…
While the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) is pleased the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) is updating the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM), more must be done. CMMI’s updates come in direct response to feedback from COA on how the EOM must be improved to better support oncology practices and the patients they serve. CMMI…
The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) has submitted comments encouraging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to work with cancer care stakeholders to arrive at real, actionable solutions to improve Medicare Advantage (MA) and bolster access to quality, cost-effective cancer care. In its response to CMS’ Request for Information (RFI) on Medicare Advantage Data…
The American Cancer Society (ACS) released “Cancer in People who Identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Gender-nonconforming (LGBTQ+)”. The article provides the latest statistics on the prevalence of cancer screening and modifiable risk factors in LGBTQ+ populations, as well as a review of literature on cancer occurrence and obstacles to cancer prevention and…
The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) released, “Principles for the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence in Oncology,” to guide ASCO’s consideration of all aspects of artificial intelligence (AI). With this manuscript, the Society joins colleagues across medicine in offering principles that should be applied in development and implementation of AI. The principles are offered…
The ASCO Nominating Committee is seeking recommendations for potential candidates for the upcoming ASCO election, for service beginning in June 2025. All members are invited to recommend individuals you believe possess the qualities needed to lead the Society in the future. Your participation in this process will help ensure that our Society’s leaders represent the…
This overview of ethics in oncology highlights key issues in the field, tracing their evolution from historical contexts to present-day challenges, such as navigating cancer treatment during pregnancy and health care disparities faced by the LGBTQ+ community. The authors also consider the ethical implications of emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence and big data, in clinical…
The American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) today announced an expanded collaboration to make it simpler for patients to find authoritative cancer information online. The partnership between ASCO, the leading organization for cancer care providers, and ACS, the leading patient education, support, and advocacy organization in cancer, will create…
The American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) published an updated clinical guideline that details best practices for treating patients who have symptomatic bone metastases and ways to improve their quality of life. The guideline is available as a free access article in Practical Radiation Oncology, ASTRO’s clinical practice journal. Many types of cancer can spread…
The American Cancer Society (ACS) has approved funding for $28 million in new Extramural Discovery Science (EDS) research and career development grants. The awards will fund investigators at institutions across the United States starting in July 2024. “We are very proud to announce these new grant awardees and their critically important research projects,” said Dr….
On May 17, the Selection of Germline Genetic Testing Panels in Patients with Cancer: ASCO Guideline was published. Patients should have a family history taken and recorded that includes details of cancers in first- and second-degree relatives and the patient’s ethnicity. When more than one gene is relevant based on personal and/or family history, multigene…
On May 16, the Management of Fatigue in Adult Survivors of Cancer: ASCO Guideline Update was published. Clinicians should not recommend L-carnitine, antidepressants, wakefulness agents, or routinely recommend psychostimulants to manage symptoms of cancer-related fatigue. An algorithm, recommendations table, slides, and podcast accompany the guideline.
On May 15, the Palliative Care for Patients with Cancer: ASCO-SIO Guideline Update was published. Evidence-based recommendations address the integration of palliative care in oncology. Oncology clinicians should refer patients with advanced solid tumors and hematologic malignancies to specialized interdisciplinary palliative care teams that provide outpatient and inpatient care beginning early in the course of…
CMS reopened the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) Extreme & Uncontrollable Circumstances (EUC) Exception Application for 2023 due to the Change Healthcare cyberattack. Clinicians who have not yet submitted their 2023 MIPS data to CMS, can submit hardship exemption requests for one or more performance categories until April 15, 2024, at 8 pm ET. The…
Many Americans use cannabis and cannabinoids. In response to this reality, ASCO has issued a guideline for clinicians, adults with cancer, caregivers, and researchers on their medical use. The recommendations cover all cancer types and address products ranging from synthetic cannabinoids to full-spectrum cannabis.
ASCO and Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, will recognize researchers, patient advocates, philanthropists, teachers, and global oncology leaders who have reshaped cancer care around the world with the Society’s highest honors at the 2024 ASCO Annual Meeting.
On February 28, the Therapy for Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer without Driver Alterations Comprehensive Living Guideline Update published. Evidence-based recommendations were updated to address first, second, and subsequent treatment options for patients without driver alterations. An algorithm, recommendations table, slides, podcast, and pocketcard accompany the guideline. In addition, the Therapy for Stage IV…
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is announcing several new updates to the cancer treatment practices listed in the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®). The evidence-based expert consensus recommendations are the most frequently updated guidelines for any area of medicine and are used by cancer care providers worldwide to stay up to…
On March 14, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO)’s new policy statement which, in JCO Global Oncology, explains how global equity can be advanced by diversifying trial representation, increasing access to resources, and strengthening research capacity on a global scale. The statement details several ways the global oncology community can work together to make…
A new ASCO guideline recommends several vaccinations for adult patients with solid or hematologic malignancies due to their heightened infection risks from vaccine-preventable illnesses. The guidance covers the essential questions of which vaccines to give, to whom, when, and which ones to avoid due to potential risks. It also states that optimizing vaccination status should…
In early March, President Biden signed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2024, which included a +1.68% adjustment to the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) conversion factor (CF) for the remainder of calendar year (CY) 2024. This increase results in a 1.68% reduction to the 3.37% CF cut finalized in the 2024 MPFS final Rule. CMS…
This month’s coding tip features a new code covered in ASCO’s Care Management and SDOH G Comparison resource is G0136, established by Medicare this year to capture the administration of a Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) Risk Assessment tool. G0136 accounts for 5-15 minutes of administering the tool, and time may also contribute to other…
The members of the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) have elected Lillian L. Siu, MD, Fellow of the AACR Academy, as the AACR President-Elect for 2024- 2025. Siu will become President-Elect on Monday, April 8, during the AACR’s Annual Business Meeting of Members at the AACR Annual Meeting 2024 in San Diego, California. She…
The National Comprehensive Cancer Network® (NCCN®) is announcing several new updates to the cancer treatment practices listed in the NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology (NCCN Guidelines®). The evidence-based expert consensus recommendations are the most frequently updated guidelines for any area of medicine and are used by cancer care providers worldwide to stay up to…
New findings led by American Cancer Society (ACS) researchers shows medical debt was associated with more days of poor physical and mental health, more years of life lost, and higher mortality rates for all-cause and leading causes of death at the county level in the United States. The study is published today in the Journal…
A new initiative by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), part of the National Institutes of Health, aims to tackle the steep decline in participation in NCI-funded cancer clinical trials that is due in part to clinical trials staffing shortages that were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. These shortfalls have hampered clinical trials activities across the…
Two new measurements have been added to the Health Equity Report Card (HERC)—a tool for improving the quality and equity of cancer care. The new measures were put forth by a multi-disciplinary working group of experts in community oncology and agreed to by the original Elevating Cancer Equity working group members who drafted the original…
Yesterday the President’s Cancer Panel issued a report on the National Cancer Plan, which aims to reduce cancer mortality by at least 50% over 25 years and enhance the well-being of individuals and families affected by cancer. The report is derived from the panel’s September 2023 stakeholder meeting, in which ASCO and other organizations participated….
ASCO’s new policy statement highlights the need for formalized efforts to address health- related social needs and outlines ways to address social determinants of health (SDOH) in cancer care. Social determinants are defined as conditions in which people are born, grow, live, work, and age, which may include underlying social, economic, and environmental conditions. The…
The American Cancer Society announced the launch of the American Cancer Society Leadership in Oncology Navigation (ACS LIONTM) program, a national training and credentialing program that is working with oncology organizations to standardize high-quality, expert patient navigation for persons with cancer and their caregivers. Oncology navigation professionals work with patients within clinics and community-based settings,…
A new paper released today in the Journal of Clinical Oncology finds that while incorporating pharmacogenomic (PGx) testing into cancer care can help improve patient outcomes, barriers to PGx testing, discovery, and implementation are impacting its adoption and creating disparities that impact diverse populations. A component of precision medicine, PGx testing examines how variations in…
After 15 years of hospital-based heme/onc practice, Dr. Steve Fein started Heme Onc Call to service hospitals that have little or no heme/onc consultant availability. Dr. Fein has a deep-seated passion for helping patients with both nonmalignant blood disorders and blood cancers, and has come to realize that all hospitals need inpatient heme/onc specialty care….
https://www.janssencarepath.com/hcp/general-resources Access support to help navigate payer processes Know Your State Interactive Tool — Provides information on affordability options for your patients at the state level. Supporting Appropriate Payer Coverage Decisions Brochure — Helps you understand the information that payers may require for your patient’s coverage of medically necessary drug therapies. Prior Authorization Considerations Checklist — Presents general information…
Genentech is pleased to inform you that the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has assigned a permanent J-code for POLIVY™ (polatuzumab vedotin-piiq). POLIVY received FDA approval on June 10, 2019. Effective January 1, 2020, the J-code is J9309 (Injection, polatuzumab vedotin-piiq, 1 mg). The POLIVY J-code Announcement Flash Card, which details the new…
The PDF below contains sample coding information. Please see full Prescribing Information. Please feel free to contact the Genentech team with any questions or concerns about coding and billing. Contact a POLIVY Access Solutions Specialist at (888) 249-4918 Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, or visit Genentech-Access.com/POLIVY. Correct coding is the responsibility of…
Genentech Access Solutions – Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) Update This PDF provides important information about The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid (CMS) transition from the use of the Health Insurance Claim Number (HICN) to a Medicare Beneficiary Identifier (MBI) number, and how Genentech Access Solutions is addressing this conversion. Beginning January 1, 2020, Genentech Access…
Enriching Communication Skills for Health Professionals in Oncofertility (ECHO) is a free web-based training program focusing on building communication skills. Training Topics include: Risk of infertility Fertility preservation Sexual functioning Body image Ethical, social, and cultural considerations Interested learners should submit their application on our website at: https://echo.rhoinstitute.org/2020-echo-application/. Deadline to apply is November 22nd, 2019….
ASCO Profile and Mission Statement ASCO promotes and provides for lifelong learning for oncology professionals; cancer research; an improved environment for oncology practice; access to quality cancer care; a global network of oncology expertise; and educated and informed patients with cancer. ASCO is supported by its affiliate organization, the Conquer Cancer Foundation, which funds ground-breaking…
The Oncofertility Consortium® is a national, interdisciplinary initiative designed to explore the reproductive future of cancer survivors. Survival rates among young cancer patients have steadily increased over the past four decades in part because of the development of more effective cancer treatments. Today, both women and men can look forward to life after cancer, yet…
Since 1997, the LIVESTRONG Society has been working to improve the lives of people affected by cancer. They started as a small group trying to raise money to fight the disease. As cancer has quietly become the world’s leading cause of death, their work has expanded and now reaches every corner of the globe. One…
The Oncology Managers of Florida Inc. is a Professional Organization committed to providing a Source of Information and Educational Support as well as Implementing Changes in Medical Policies and Governmental Issues for Oncology practice managers in the State of Florida. [su_button url=”http://www.livestrong.org/we-can-help/fertility-services/fertility-women/” target=”blank” background=”#FF0000″ color=”#FFF” size=”6″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: arrow-right”]OMF[/su_button]
MGMA equips medical practice leaders with the information and tools needed to thrive. MGMA, lives their tagline every day, they are committed to continually advancing leaders and their practices. As the leading association for medical practice administrators and health care executives for nearly 90 years, MGMA provides the essential education, legislative information, and data and…
The Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) is a professional association of more than 35,000 members committed to promoting excellence in oncology nursing and the transformation of cancer care. Since 1975, ONS has provided a professional community for oncology nurses, developed evidence-based education programs and treatment information, and advocated for patient care, all in an effort to…
ASTRO was founded November 18, 1958, as a club by 58 radiation therapists who were looking for representation of their specialty. The Society is now representing more than 10,500 radiation oncology treatment team members and continues to grow. Radiation oncologists, medical physicists, dosimetrists, radiation therapists, radiation oncology nurses and nurse practitioners, biologists, physician assistants and…
Founded in 1940 as the James Ewing Society, the Society of Surgical Oncology® celebrates its 75th anniversary in 2015. SSO is the premier organization for surgeons and health care providers dedicated to advancing and promoting the science and treatment of cancer. The Society’s focus on all solid-tumor disease sites is reflected in its Annual Cancer Symposium,…
In May 1968, Drs. Averette and Mikuta gathered other likeminded fellows of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to discuss the potential for this new organization. Those in attendance agreed to form a society consisting of obstetrician-gynecologists whose major interest was gynecologic cancer. In January 1969, interested parties were gathered to formalize the creation…
COA is a non-profit organization dedicated solely to community oncology. COA was founded by community oncology to advocate for patients and providers in the community oncology setting, where the majority of Americans with cancer are treated. In its ten years of existence, COA has mobilized community oncology to become more politically active, and increased awareness…
ACCC celebrates 40 years of service with an ongoing commitment to advancing access to quality comprehensive cancer care for all. ACCC continues to build on its efforts as the leading education and advocacy organization for the multidisciplinary cancer care team. [su_button url=”http://www.accc-cancer.org/” target=”blank” background=”#FF0000″ color=”#FFF” size=”6″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: arrow-right”]ACCC[/su_button] FLASCO is a member of ACCC….
The American Society of Hematology (ASH) is the world’s largest professional society serving both clinicians and scientists around the world who are working to conquer blood diseases. [su_button url=”http://www.hematology.org/” target=”blank” background=”#FF0000″ color=”#FFF” size=”6″ center=”yes” icon=”icon: arrow-right”]ASH[/su_button] Mission The Society’s mission is to further the understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disorders affecting the blood, bone…
Since 1847 the American Medical Association has promoted scientific advancement, improved public health, and invested in the doctor and patient relationship. AMA History is a rich narrative that demonstrates the important role the institution and its members have played in the development of medicine in the United States. [su_button url=”http://www.ama-assn.org/ama/home.page?” target=”blank” background=”#FF0000″ color=”#FFF” size=”6″ center=”yes”…
Founded in 1874, the Florida Medical Association is a professional association dedicated to the service and assistance of Doctors of Medicine and Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine in Florida. The FMA represents more than 20,000 physicians on issues of legislation and regulatory affairs, medical economics and education, public health, and ethical and legal issues. They advocate…
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