FOR INFORMATION CONTACT:
Don Jewler, ACCC Communications Director
301.984.9496, ext. 208
djewler@accc-cancer.org
For Immediate Release: August 22, 2007
Join us for ACCC's 24th National Oncology Economics Conference in Dallas, Tex., Oct. 3–6, 2007. All Credentialed Press Are Invited.
Cancer Care: The Next Frontier
Issues Affecting Hospitals and Oncology Practices
WHAT: 24th National Oncology Economics Conference of the
Association of Community Cancer Centers
WHEN: Wednesday, October 3, 2007 – Saturday, October 6, 2007
WHERE: Hyatt Regency Dallas, 300 Reunion Blvd., Dallas, Texas
The Association of Community Cancer Centers’ 24th National Oncology Economics Conference, October 3-6, 2007, at the Hyatt Regency Dallas in Dallas, Tex., brings the leaders from the nation’s hospital-based cancer programs and oncology practices together to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing cancer care today…and tomorrow. Join us for in-depth coverage of the many regulatory and reimbursement changes affecting oncology and learn how hospitals and oncology practices are dealing with evolving restraints on the delivery of quality care.
Changes in the Hospital Outpatient Department
CMS is proposing some major changes to reimbursement in the hospital outpatient department, including changes to drug and administration reimbursement, pharmacy services, and imaging services. Hear the latest information and analysis on how the proposed new rules may affect cancer programs.
Final Decision on ESAs
CMS released its final national coverage determination (NCD) on Erythropoiesis Stimulating Agents (ESA); however, questions and concerns remain. Hear about what these changes will mean for patients with cancer, and learn about the new efforts by ACCC and others to re-open this NCD.
Medicare Coverage of Clinical Trials
CMS has proposed to not automatically cover services for Medicare patients enrolled in clinical trials. ACCC is concerned this decision may lead to fewer Medicare patients being enrolled in trials. Learn what ACCC and others are doing to address concerns.
Expansion of Quality Initiatives
From the hospital outpatient department to the physician office, CMS has proposed to expand quality reporting initiatives into 2008 and the beyond. Find out if and how providers are participating.
Among the sessions you may want to attend are:
Medicare Rules/Legislative Updates
Thursday, October 4, 9:30 am – 10:00 am
Saturday, October 6, 8:30 am – 9:45 am
Information and analysis from CMS, ACCC, and other experts about the proposed Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) Rule for 2008, proposed policy and payment changes for physicians’ services in 2008, the new clinical trials policy, the Physician Quality Reporting Initiative and value-based purchasing program, and more. Will proposed CMS rules translate into sizeable reductions in the payments for services—both drug administration and radiation oncology treatments—provided in hospital cancer centers and the physician office? Find out what to expect next.
Healthcare: Economics, Efficiency, and Equity
Thursday, October 4, 8:45 am – 9:30 am
Keynote speaker Steven Eastaugh, ScD, author and professor of health economics and finance, will explore critical challenges that the oncology community faces, including how patients and cancer care providers can afford expensive new drugs, technologies, and equipment.
Radiation Oncology: What’s New in the Marketplace, Panel Discussion and Breakout Sessions
Saturday, October 6, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm
The rapid evolution in new technologies in radiation oncology continues—CyberKnife, proton beam therapy, image-guided radiation therapy, Gamma Knife, and more. While these new technologies may hold great promise, some come with hefty price tags. A panel of experts will explore how cancer programs should assess and plan strategically for the adoption and implementation of new radiation oncology technologies. Plus a concurrent session (Saturday, October 6, 11:00 am – 12:00 pm) will focus on reimbursement for radiation oncology services.
Drug Compendia Changes: How They Will Affect Oncology
Thursday, October 4, 3:30 pm – 4:30 pm
The compendia approval process for off-label oncology indications and even the publication of one compendium itself are changing. What are the consequences for reimbursement? Are the compendia becoming faster and more efficient in their off-label approvals? How will recent CMS decisions affect the process?
The Increasing Cost of Healthcare: Managing in a Constricting Environment
Thursday, October 4, 2:00 pm – 3:15 pm
Cancer care providers are struggling to mitigate the impact of high-cost treatments and technologies. Understand the extent of the problem and strategies currently used to help ensure successful programs and quality cancer care.
Cancer Center Renovation vs. New Construction
Thursday, October 4, 10:00 am – 11:00 am
Although housing starts may be down, new construction or additions to cancer centers continue. Learn about current trends in cancer center design, workflow processes, and ways to improve space planning and patient flow.
Ethics—Access to Care, Affordability, and Drug Choices
Friday, October 5, 10:15 am – 11:30 am
Today’s cancer programs face tough decisions related to the increased cost of anti-cancer treatments and an increased risk of disparity. How can programs ensure that all cancer patients have access to state-of-the-art treatment—regardless of their ability to pay? Find out what steps programs and patients are taking.
The Association of Community Cancer Centers provides a national forum for addressing issues that affect community cancer programs, such as regulatory and legislative issues, measurements of the quality of care, and clinical research. Its unique membership of more than 650 hospital cancer programs and oncology private practices includes all members of the cancer care team: medical and radiation oncologists, surgeons, cancer program administrators and medical directors, oncology nurses, pharmacists, radiation therapists, oncology social workers, and cancer program data managers.
