11/06/2018

Important Oncology Related News

CMS Finalizes Changes to Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program  Nov 01, 2018 

Today, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) finalized bold proposals that address provider burnout and provide clinicians immediate relief from excessive paperwork tied to outdated billing practices. The final 2019 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) and the Quality Payment Program (QPP) rule released today also modernizes Medicare payment policies to promote access to virtual care, saving Medicare beneficiaries time and money while improving their access to high-quality services, no matter where they live.  READ MORE

CMS Finalizes Rule that Encourages More Choices and Lower Costs for Seniors (OPPS Final Rule Released)

Nov. 2, 2018  Seniors
CMS Administrator Seema Verma: Today’s rule puts patients at the center in making the best decisions about their care.”  READ MORE

2019 Physician Fee Schedule and Quality Payment Program Final Rule Released

(ASCO in Action) Nov 2, 2018 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the final rule for the Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (MPFS) and Quality Payment Program (QPP) outlining reimbursement changes for 2019. READ MORE

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CMS Finalizes 2019 Cuts to Hospital Outpatient Payments and 340B

(ASCO in Action) Nov 2, 2018 - The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2019 Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System (HOPPS) final rule. READ ARTICLE

COA Largely Commends CMS on Final Physician Fee Schedule Rule

COA’s Concerns Reflected in Final Rule That Ensures Value of Cancer Care for Patients and Reduce Administrative Burdens for Physicians

The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) commends the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) for clearly hearing important concerns of the oncology community and reflecting those in the final Medicare Physician Fee Schedule. CMS Administrator Seema Verma and staff have largely listened and responded to feedback, resulting in a final rule that for the most part is good for patients and their providers. READ MORE

Trump Administration Drug Pricing Plan Would Tie Medicare Part B Reimbursement to International Prices

On October 25, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (“CMS”) issued an Advance Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“ANPRM”) seeking input on the development of a new drug pricing model under Medicare Part B to index reimbursement for drugs to drug costs in “economically-similar countries,” titled the International Pricing Index (“IPI Model”).

Read the full article on Lexology here.

Community Oncology Alliance Statement on Trump Administration’s Part B Payment Model Proposal

(COA) Oct 25, 2018 - Today the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) released the following statement regarding the Advanced Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (ANPRM) for an International Pricing Index (IPI) Model unveiled by President Trump and United States Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Alex Azar II:  READ PRESS RELEASE

Site Neutral Payment, 340B Payment Cuts Raise Hospitals’ Hackles

On November 5th, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released two final rules that aim to narrow the difference between payments rates for hospital outpatient services and those provided in ambulatory surgical centers. The agency said the proposed changes would spur competition, lower costs for seniors, and “create a level playing field for providers.”

Read the full article on Medpage Today here.