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!

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.

Download Report

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.

Advocacy In the News

CMS Strengthens Federal Support to Californians Affected by Wildfires

On November 14, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the agency has taken steps to support California residents displaced and recovering from the wildfires destroying portions of the state.On November 13, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar declared a public health emergency (PHE) in areas of California retroactive to November 8. The PHE allows CMS to waive or modify certain Medicare, Medicaid, and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) requirements if necessary to provide health services.

The agency will take the following steps to support the state of California and those residents impacted by wildfires:

Waivers for Skilled Nursing Facilities and Assistance for Hospitals and other Healthcare Facilities: CMS will issue a blanket Skilled Nursing Facility waiver, described on the website below; and the Regional Office will provide numerous technical assistance responses to the state, California Hospital Association and providers on specific types of CMS and other HHS program flexibilities that are available with and without waivers. These program flexibilities and waivers work to provide continued access to care for beneficiaries. For more information on the waivers CMS will grant, visit https://www.cms.gov/Emergency.
Special Enrollment Opportunities and Medicare Flexibilities: CMS will be providing beneficiaries affected by the California wildfires an Special Enrollment Period (SEP) that gives them an additional opportunity to add, drop, or change their Medicare health and prescription drug plan in the event they are eligible for an SEP and unable to make an election during the fall open enrollment period or another election period for which they were eligible. For more information on special enrollment periods, visit: https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/Eligibility-and-Enrollment/MedicareMangCareEligEnrol/index.html. When a public health emergency is in effect, Medicare Advantage Organizations in affected areas are required to waive prior authorization and other gatekeeper requirements and to allow care to be provided by non-contracted providers and facilities. In addition, Part D plan sponsors are expected to lift certain limits for drug benefits.
Dialysis Care: Dialysis patients who are unable to receive dialysis services at their usual facility and who need assistance to locate a facility where they can be dialyzed, should call the NW 17 (Northern California) Patient Hotline (800.232,3773) or NW 18 (Southern California) Patient Hotline (800.637.4767) for assistance. The following large dialysis organization hotline numbers are also available for patients: DaVita Emergency Dialysis Services (800.400-8331); Fresenius Kidney Care Emergency Hotline (800.626.1297); Dialysis Clinic Inc. (DCI) Emergency Command Center (866.424.1990); and U.S. Renal Care Emergency Hotline (866.671.8772).