Oncology Practice Insider | ASCO Practice Central

ASCO’s Oncology Practice Insider provides the latest news, information, and educational tools to assist with the successful management of oncology practice and the delivery of high quality patient care. OPI offers updates on ASCO programs, services, and cancer-related health policy, Medicare news, and billing and coding best practices. To sign up for the biweekly Oncology Practice Insider newsletter, please complete this form.

CMS Webinar: MIPS Improvement Activities Performance Category in 2019

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a webinar on Thursday, May 23 from 1:00 – 2:00 PM ET to provide an overview of the Improvement Activities performance category of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in 2019. CMS subject matter experts will provide a brief overview of MIPS and discuss the following Improvement Activities Performance Category topics:

CMS Webinar - 2019 MIPS APM/APM Scoring Standard Webinar

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting a webinar on Wednesday, April 24 at 2:00 PM ET to provide an overview of the Merit-based Incentive Payment System Alternative Payment Models, or MIPS APMs, a type of APM in the Quality Payment Program. CMS subject matter experts will provide information about:

Medicare Provider Pilot Program- HIPAA Compliance

The Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services (CMS) is launching a volunteer provider pilot program on behalf of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), which will test the process for reviewing compliance with HIPAA Administrative Simplification rules. Medicare providers who conduct electronic health care transactions may volunteer for the program on their own behalf.

Additional Telehealth Benefits In the Medicare Advantage Program

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently finalized a policy to include additional telehealth benefits in the Medicare Advantage Program. This policy would increase access to telehealth benefits for Medicare Advantage patients beginning in the 2020 plan year. Previously, Medicare beneficiaries were only allowed access to telehealth services if they resided in certain rural areas.

CMS Physicians, Nurses & Allied Health Professionals Open Door Forum on April 17

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) will host an Open Door Forum for providers on Wednesday, April 17, 2019 from 2:00 to 3:00 PM ET. The agenda will include announcements and updates on Open Payments and Chiropratic services. Please see below for conference call information. Open Door Participation Instructions:

Medicare

New National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Medicare and Medicaid Program Contractor

As of February 1, 2019, CMS awarded the National Correct Coding Initiative (NCCI) Medicare and Medicaid Program Contract to Capitol Bridge, LLC.

Update on MIPS Adjustment Error: No Provider Action Required, CMS Correcting Issue

In late January, ASCO notified members that some oncology practices and providers in the Merit-Based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) received inaccurate 2019 payment adjustments as a result of Medicare Part B drug costs incorrectly being included in the adjustments. CMS is now working to correct the payments.

New Quality Payment Program Payment Adjustment Resource Now Available

CMS posted a new Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) resource to the Quality Payment Program (QPP) Resource Library to answer questions and provide additional resources on 2019 payment adjustments. In July 2018, each MIPS eligible clinician received a 2017 MIPS final score and associated payment adjustment factor(s) as part of their 2017 MIPS performance feedback