Oncology Practice Insider

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:

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.

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.

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:

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

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.

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

Unlike Medicare and private and commercial payers, Medicaid is not federally required to cover routine care costs (like physician visits and laboratory studies) for clinical trials, which means that Medicaid enrollees are less likely to participate in clinical trials. Members of Congress recently introduced bipartisan legislation, the CLINICAL TREATMENT Act (H.R. 913), to address this significant barrier to participation in clinical trials. Tell Congress to support the CLINICAL TREATMENT Act to improve the quality of cancer research and reduce disparities in cancer care.