From the CPC Chair

With January fast approaching, we know many of you have questions and concerns about CMS's 2006 voluntary demonstration project, the coding changes, the prescription drug benefit, and the general outlook for 2006. One of our biggest concerns is the short time frame that we have to address all of these new changes CMS is putting forward, and we are working hard to find out the implications for your practices. ASCO's priority is to help you and your practice as you deal with all the new rules in the ever-changing environment to ensure continuity of care for your patients.

ASCO is addressing immediate questions related to implementation and how best to navigate these changes. First, ASCO is engaged with CMS on a variety of levels, to clarify and simplify several of the published G-codes that have created confusion, and is pressing CMS to provide strong, clear instructions to carriers expeditiously. Second, ASCO is developing a series of tools, which we review below, to help practices gain a clear understanding of how to navigate this new environment.

The new demonstration project may present a significant administrative burden for both physicians and office staff. ASCO recognizes this. Our goal is to provide tools and resources that will enable your practice to participate in and take advantage of the additional funds available through the demonstration. These practice tools include:

• National Audio Conference: ASCO will hold a national conference call 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. It will be an opportunity for you to tell us about problems you may be experiencing or questions you may have. We held a series of similar conference calls last year, which were very helpful in identifying issues practices were having.We used that information to address these issues with CMS.To register or for more information, e-mail ASCOaudioconference@asco.org.
  
  
• Frequently Asked Questions: ASCO is gathering a set of common questions that people have about the new demonstration project and coding changes for 2006. We are pushing CMS to provide us with more information as soon as possible so all of your concerns can be addressed. If you have specific questions about the demonstration project and coding changes, please call or email ASCO's Cancer Policy and Clinical Affairs Department, at 703-299-1050, or publicpolicy@asco.org.
  
  
• Guideline Tools:  ASCO and NCCN guidelines are available to all physicians free of charge through the ASCO and NCCN websites. The ASCO guidelines provide comprehensive, detailed guidance on specific topics related to cancer care, and the NCCN guidelines are broader and provide direction on day-to-day care for cancer patients. ASCO is preparing tools to help you navigate the guidelines and an easy reference checklist by disease type.
  
  
• Part D Information:  January 1, 2006 will mark the beginning of the Part D prescription drug benefit for Medicare beneficiaries who enroll before December 31, 2005.  The initial enrollment period for beneficiaries will continue through May 15, 2006.  An ASCO fact sheet and patient FAQs developed by CMS are available on ASCO’s website.  An overview of the benefit was also recently published in the Journal of Oncology Practice.  ASCO is developing additional resources to help oncologists a) respond to questions posed by beneficiaries who have questions about enrolling and b) understand Medicare Part D program details as they pertain to prescriptions for patients who do choose to enroll.
  
  
• Coding Information:  Resources already available through ASCO’s website include a cross-reference sheet featuring the 2006 CPT codes, Medicare’s 2005 G-codes, and the 2005 CPT codes.

As the world’s leading professional organization representing physicians who treat people with cancer, ASCO will continue to work with patient advocacy groups, Members of Congress and CMS to advance quality cancer care. You need to be fairly reimbursed for all of the services you deliver to patients. We have an ambitious agenda in 2006.We will continue to pursue public policy solutions that will allow you to provide a high level of care to your patients. Some of these priorities include:

• Refine the definition of Average Sales Price: ASCO will be working 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.
  
  
• Coding Initiatives:  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.
  
  
• Guideline Development:  ASCO will continue developing companion materials for new or updated guidelines in order to facilitate the dissemination of guideline recommendations.
  
  
• Cancer Quality Alliance: ASCO and the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship formed the Cancer Quality Alliance in October 2005. The Alliance will foster collaboration among stakeholders who are committed to cancer care quality improvement and seek to eliminate unnecessary duplication in cancer care quality efforts. By encouraging practical programs to improve quality of care, the Alliance seeks to become a national voice for quality of cancer care.

Most importantly, ASCO will continue to pursue a comprehensive, long-term public policy solution that will provide stability in the cancer care system.

In 2006 there is much work to be done. ASCO will continue to represent your voice, and the voice of all oncologists, in Washington to address the important issues that face our patients and impact our ability to delivery quality cancer care. Check ASCO’s website (www.asco.org/mma) regularly for updated information about what CMS is doing as we find it out.


News and Notes
Participation in Support Services Survey Critical
ASCO, in conjunction with the Administrators in Oncology/Hematology Assembly of the Medical Group Management Association, is seeking help with an important survey on the costs associated with providing supportive care services to patients with cancer. The survey was sent to a random sample of oncology practices throughout the country. As no study currently documents the prevalence and resource expenditures for support services furnished by oncology practices, participation by practices that received the survey is crucial.  Please contact ASCO at 703-299-1050 with any questions.