Dear Fellow ASCO Member:

With the New Year in sight, we would like to take a moment during this busy time to look ahead to the coming year.

As you know, we will be facing many challenges in 2006 as we cope with a new reimbursement environment. CMS just released the ASP numbers for the first quarter of 2006. In just a few days, the new CMS demonstration project becomes effective, but as we write to you, CMS has not yet released details on how practices are to implement the demonstration project. ASCO is pushing CMS to release these details so we can develop the tools that will help us all adapt and better treat our patients under this new environment.

In addition, the House and Senate each passed a bill that froze physician reimbursement for one year and averted the 4.4% cut to physician payments. However, due to a procedural issue, the legislation is still pending final passage. We also are disappointed that Congress did not approve a positive update for physician payments in order to keep up with inflation. 

We are also concerned that many physicians may not have all of the resources they need to implement all of the changes CMS is putting forward for 2006. As final program requirements become available, we will develop practical tools to help with implementation in daily practice.  Below is a brief description of these tools:­

• ASCO will hold a national audio-conference on January 9, to address the many Medicare changes taking place in 2006, including implementation of the 2006 oncology demonstration project, revised CPT codes for drug administration, and the Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit. To register or for more information, e-mail ASCOaudioconference@asco.org.
  
  
• ­ASCO is devising an easy-reference checklist that can be included in the patient record that will help physicians with documentation for the demonstration project.  All of ASCO's demonstration project resources will soon be housed centrally on a dedicated website page on ASCO.org.
  
  
• ­ASCO is compiling a set of common questions about the new demonstration project and the associated G-codes, and updates will be posted to www.asco.org/mma as they become available. Many members voiced concerns that the initial set of G-codes published contained several errors. ASCO forwarded these concerns to CMS, and the G-codes have been revised.  ASCO has updated the list of 2006 demonstration G-codes. If you have questions about the demonstration project and coding changes, please contact ASCO's Cancer Policy and Clinical Affairs Department at 703-299-1050, or by e-mail at publicpolicy@asco.org.
  
  
• ­ASCO has developed a fact sheet on Medicare Part D enrollment information and coding information, and patient FAQs developed by CMS are available on ASCO's website.  ASCO is developing additional resources to help oncologists: a) respond to enrollment questions posed by beneficiaries, and b) understand Medicare Part D program details as they pertain to prescriptions for patients who choose to enroll.
  
  
• ­CMS recently released instructions to Medicare carriers on the 2006 demonstration project.  ASCO has forwarded CMS a series of questions and concerns about these instructions, as well as general implementation issues, and will release updates as soon as they become available.

In addition, ongoing priorities for the first part of 2006 will include:

• ­Refining the Definition of Average Sales Price: ASCO will work with key legislators and CMS to refine the definition of ASP to more accurately reflect practitioners' costs, including removal of "prompt-pay discounts" from the calculation.
  
  
• ­Reimbursement Issues: ASCO will continue to pursue new CPT codes for treatment planning and supportive care services.  In addition, we will soon have the results of the support services survey of practices, which will provide critical data on the need for additional payments for these services.
  
  
• Scheduled Cuts to Physician Payments (SGR): ASCO will continue to advocate for fair physician payments, including correcting the flawed Medicare formula that puts physicians at risk for a cut year after year.

Last year at this time, we likened change on Capitol Hill to steering a large ship into a tight spot, where incremental progress was the hallmark of advancing a policy agenda in Washington.  We continue to believe that it is responsible, practical leadership that serves ASCO members and patients most effectively.

In the coming year, we will continue to work with our powerful allies on Capitol Hill, including Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX) and Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA), with whom we worked to help draft and pass House Resolution 261 to advance responsible policy. Together with the commitment of individual oncologists and others in the cancer community who wrote, called and visited their Members of Congress, we all are a strong voice on Capitol Hill.
We wish you, your loved ones, and your patients a safe, happy and healthy new year.

Sincerely,

Joseph S. Bailes, MD
Interim Executive Vice President and CEO

John V. Cox, DO
Chair, Clinical Practice Committee