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www.tsmo-texas.com Spring/Summer 2006 |
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As Consistent as Change Nothing is as consistent as change. Change is inevitable – except from a vending machine. There is nothing wrong with change—if it is in the right direction. Yes, change is always with us, whether we want it or not. The past year has been no exception with regard to our own state society. We have attempted to expand our board in numbers and diversity of local representation. For the first time we utilized the aid of a lobbyist to represent our interests in the Texas legislature, coordinating our lead with ASCO (and in parallel with TMA). We offered suggestions to the legislation on pending pain issues. Additionally, Dr. Cox and I continue to give input to the TrailBlazer Carrier Advisory Committee for Medicare. We are working to coordinate interest from the academic arena, both professorial and resident. Additionally we will continue to work with CHOP to be sure that we are all speaking with one voice to those who need to hear us as well as take advantage of their interests and talents. |
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Two proposed rules offer some protection to practitioners that donate software and services used for electronic prescription (e-prescription) systems to certain categories of individuals.
Reimbursement in 2006 is finding a new focus on the private payer market. Without much fanfare, we are noticing that private payers are quicker with the uptake of changes initiated by Medicare. In our oncology practices, we cannot understate the importance of payments from commercial health insurance to compensate for lower revenues received from Medicare and Medicaid. Practices that have paid close attention to commercial contracts and once sat at the table to negotiate reimbursement rates are losing bargaining power, and—along with those practices that paid little attention to the terms of their agreements—are being offered take-it-or-leave-it contracts.
On May 31, 2006, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) announced an extension to the physician election period for the Medicare Part B Drug Competitive Acquisition Program (CAP). The
extension began on June 3, 2006, and will continue through June 30, 2006. Physicians whose completed physician election forms are received by their local carrier and whose forms are postmarked on or
after June 3, but no later than June 30, 2006, will begin participation in the CAP starting on August 1, 2006.
Here are brief highlights of advances in cancer research presented at ASCO’s 2006 Annual Meeting.
Low blood levels of vitamin D may worsen bone loss associated with exemestane. Findings support the use of vitamin D as well as calcium supplementation for postmenopausal women in general, and for those receiving aromatase inhibitors in particular.
Do you want to refer patients to cancer clinical trials but don’t know how? Are you new to conducting clinical trials in a practice setting but want to know more? If so, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) has a course for you. "Incorporating Cancer Clinical Trials Into Your Practice" is a free Web-based tutorial for health care professionals—oncologists, family physicians, internists, nurses, and other clinical staff—who are new to the clinical trials process. The course emphasizes the importance of participating in cancer clinical trials and how to do so, either through patient referral or becoming a clinical trials investigator. Click here to access the course.
The Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) will present its 23rd National Oncology Economics Conference in St. Louis, Mo., on Sept. 13-16, 2006. For every paying Society/ACCC-member registrant, you may bring a colleague at half price! But hurry. This offer is valid only until August 15. It does not apply to industry representatives and cannot be used in conjunction with any other promotional coupons or discounts. This meeting offers the perfect opportunity for your entire cancer care team (physicians, nurses, administrator, and billers/coders) to strengthen their skills and network with their colleagues. |
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© Copyright 2006 Association of Community Cancer Centers. All Rights Reserved |
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