National Policy Resources—Local Advocacy Results

As cancer care professionals who experience the challenges of providing quality cancer care first-hand, NCOA 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 weekly legislation updates from the North Carolina General Assembly, local news, 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.

Legislative Updates

Senate Considers New COVID Appropriations Bill; Governor Cooper Issues Executive Order Relaxing Additional COVID-19 Restrictions
Friday, April 30, 2021

On Thursday, April 29, the Senate Appropriations/Base Budget Committee discussed SB 172—Additional COVID-19 Response & Relief, which appropriates certain federal grant funds provided to North Carolina under the American Rescue Plan Act. SB 172 will appropriate $9 billion in non-discretionary funds for state and local governments and COVID relief funding such as emergency rental assistance. SB 172 received a favorable report and has been referred to the Senate Rules Committee.

The Governor has yet to make his recommendations for the American Rescue Plan funding for the state, but he is expected to release them in the near future.

A number of other bills were heard in committee and passed the House and Senate this week. View bill chart.
Read Full Update

North Carolina General Assembly Passes Bipartisan COVID Relief Bill
Monday, March 8, 2021

On March 5, HB 196—2021 COVID-19 Response & Relief was introduced and quickly passed the House by a unanimous vote on Wednesday and the Senate by unanimous vote on Thursday afternoon.

Highlights of the bill’s funding measures include:

$600 million for COVID-19 testing, tracing and prevention needs;
$100 million to assist K-12 public schools as they navigate reopening and $40 million to support summer learning programs;
$290 million for higher education emergency relief;
$15 million for the North Carolina Policy Collaboratory to implement alternative COVID surveillance methods; and
$3 million for upgrades to the NC COVID Vaccine Management System.

Read Full Update

National Policy Resources—Local Advocacy Results

Implementing the New CMS Reimbursement Billing Codes for Patient Navigation Services

The New CMS Navigation Reimbursement Billing Codes: A 101

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

Legislative Updates

Helpful Links