National Policy Resources—Local Advocacy Results

As cancer care professionals who experience the challenges of providing quality cancer care first-hand, IOS members are well positioned to educate decision-makers on how coverage and reimbursement issues affect community oncology. State and federal legislation can have a significant impact on the financial viability of local cancer programs, which is why it's so important that our members make their voices heard.

In an effort to provide resources needed to effectively advocate on the issues that are important to them, our redesigned advocacy webpage features activity from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), national healthcare coverage through the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), local news articles and webinars, and more.

We want to hear from you! If there is a specific piece of legislation you want to know more about, an important resource we're missing, or if you want to get more involved, please contact us!


Implementing the New CMS Reimbursement Billing Codes for Patient Navigation Services

As of January 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services introduced new codes so that Medicare could reimburse for patient navigation services. To address challenges of implementation, the Association of Cancer Care Centers, in partnership with TACOS and 11 other state societies from CO, IN, IA, NV, NM, NY, NC, SC, WA, WI, and WY, has a 4-part webinar series, Implementing the New CMS Reimbursement Billing Codes for Patient Navigation Services, hosted by Teri Bedard of Revenue Cycle Coding Strategies.

 

The New CMS Navigation Reimbursement Billing Codes: A 101


The 2024 Physician Fee Schedule included 7 new codes specific to care management. This webinar reviews how these differ from the care management codes available from the American Medical Association, common questions, and challenges for implementing these new codes.
Access a PDF of the slides here.

Principal Illness Navigation (PIN) Services Documentation, Coding, and Billing


The 2024 Physician Fee Schedule includes four new codes specific to Principal Illness Navigation–Peer Support. With these new codes, providers will be able to bill for the services of navigators, social workers, and support personnel. This webinar goes into a deep dive, reviewing components of the new codes, answering common questions, and addressing challenges for providers.
Access a PDF of the slides here.

 

 

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ASCO® Advocacy Summit
April 16-17, 2024

Mark A. Henderson, MD, President for Indiana Oncology Society (IOS), Named Advocacy Champion by the Association for Clinical Oncology

The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) named Dr. Henderson as an Advocacy Champion during the 2024 ASCO Advocacy Summit in April. Advocacy Champions are ASCO volunteers who have made meaningful contributions to the Association’s advocacy activities throughout the year to ensure that every patient with cancer has access to high-quality, equitable cancer care no matter who they are or where they live. Advocates speak with federal lawmakers and agencies, send personalized letters to Members of Congress through ASCO’s ACT Network, engage with state lawmakers on policy priorities at the state-level, and host site visits for lawmakers in their home states and districts.

Throughout the past year, Dr. Henderson has worked with IOS on Policy in Indiana that would affect cancer patients along with federal policy.

Mark A. Henderson, MD is a Radiation Oncologists at Columbus Regional Hospital Cancer Care For more news, advocacy, and analysis on cancer policy, please visit asco.org/ascoaction.

 

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2024 ASCO Advocacy Day

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IOS President, Mark Henderson, MD, ASCO President Elect, Robin Zon, MD, meet with Rep Rudy Yakym III

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IOS President outside the Capital in
Washington, DC

 

State Advocacy

On July 1, 2021, the Indiana Department of Health, Indiana Board of Pharmacy, Indiana Department of Insurance, and the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration released its Specialty Drug Channel Management Report.

The report identifies the recent effects of white bagging in Indiana and why the practice of white bagging is a safety risk for patients. In addition to state and federal considerations, the report provides examples of patient experiences and outlines best practices for reimbursement and communications.

Stay tuned for more communications and advocacy opportunities from the Indiana Oncology Society as we work with these state organizations to ensure that we provide the best care for patients with cancer across the Hoosier state.

 

Federal Advocacy

IOS Joins 400+ Organizations in Support of MCED Legislation
May 5, 2022

The Indiana Oncology Society (IOS) joined more than 400 organization from all 50 states to urge Congress to pass the Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Screening Coverage Act (H.R.1946/S.1873) this year. This legislation would create a pathway for MCED tests to be covered by the Medicare program following approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Read the Letter 

 
 

FROM THE ACCCBUZZ BLOG

  • An Update on Healthcare Legislation at the State Level
    By Christian G. Downs, MHA, JD
    March 22, 2023
    If you are looking for legislative action, look no further than your state's legislatures. Most—if not all—states have had issues relating to oncology care and healthcare in general come up during their 2023 sessions.
  • ACCC Announces its 2023 Advocacy Agenda
    March 07, 2023
    For 2023, ACCC members have identified four core areas of focus (e.g., reimbursement, utilization management, provider-patient choice), among a larger set of issues and concerns, that the association will be supporting this year.
  • ACCC Recognizes National Caregivers Day: Analyzing a Mental Health Crisis
    February 17, 2023
    Today is National Caregivers Day, and ACCCBuzz analyzes the current mental health crisis that is affecting the caregivers of loved ones everywhere.

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Oncology State Societies at ACCC: Snapshot from the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting

In this clip, Stephanie Van Winkle, Executive Director of the Oncology State Societies at ACCC, gives an overview of the important work the Oncology State Societies does to empower its members around state and federal advocacy issues, and help them support cancer care delivery in their state. Join today