Message from the CPC Chair
As we progress toward 2006, our primary focus is to ensure that we can continue to provide quality cancer care to our patients. A key way we can accomplish this is to urge CMS to extend the oncology demonstration project, which provides reimbursement to practices for reporting quality care information on their patients’ conditions.

We are proud to stand with Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX) in this effort.As you are aware, Rep. Hall has introduced House Resolution 261, which commends CMS for creating the demonstration project and calling on CMS to extend the benefits of the project beyond 2005. Circulating among House members right now is a “Dear Colleague” letter, urging them to co-sponsor this important Resolution. House Resolution 261 currently has 14 co-sponsors and has been referred to the House Energy and Commerce and Ways and Means’ Subcommittees on Health.

June is a critical month to demonstrate support from House members for the Hall Resolution because we anticipate that CMS will release its proposed 2006 fee schedule in July. We need you to contact your Representative to express your support for H Res. 261. If you have not yet done so, now is time for you to call you House Member to ask him/her to sign on to this important Resolution to protect quality cancer care. You can find contact information for your Representative at ASCO’s Grassroots Action Center, at http://capwiz.com/asco.

Another way for you to discuss important cancer issues with policy makers and to have your voices heard is to attend ASCO’s Legislative Conference that will take place July 26 and 27, in Washington, D.C.At the conference you will hear from the people who are in charge of making the policies that affect your practice and your patients.Confirmed speakers include:

• Mark McClellan, MD, PhD (Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services)
• Lester Crawford, MD (Acting Commissioner of the Food and Drug Administration)
• Andrew C. von Eschenbach, MD (Director of the National Cancer Institute)
• Rep. Ralph Hall (R-TX) (Member of the House Subcommittee on Health of the Energy and Commerce Committee)
• Rep. Nathan Deal (R-GA) (Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Health of the Energy and Commerce Committee)

You also will get the chance to meet face-to-face with your Members of Congress to talk about the MMA, research issues, and quality care issues affecting oncology. You can register to attend the conference online.The deadline for registration has been extended.


Quality Care Issues
JOP Focuses on Quality Cancer Care
This month’s Journal of Oncology Practice includes an article by outgoing ASCO President David Johnson, MD, titled “Medicare Demonstration Recognizes Oncologist’s Role in Managing Chemotherapy Side Effects.”

The article highlights the vital role of oncologists in delivering quality cancer care and discusses the effect of the CMS demonstration project on patients. The article argues that more needs to be done to build on the success of the demonstration project to ensure doctors can continue to provide quality cancer care beyond 2005, when the demonstration project is set to expire.

ASCO leaders are working with Congressional leaders and CMS to extend the demonstration project and move closer to implementing a long-term solution that protects the care and services necessary for cancer patients.

You can read the article on ASCO’s website.

Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI)
A poster session and presentation at the 2005 Annual Meeting provided updates on the Quality Oncology Practice Initiative (QOPI). QOPI aims to provide tools for practitioners to implement “best practices” in quality oncology care. This project provides comparative data on best practices based on evidence and consensus-based measures. You can preview the results of the report on ASCO.org.


Register for ASCO Practice Management Curriculum Sessions ASCO is pleased to offer a unique educational opportunity for practicing oncologists and other oncology professionals.The ASCO Practice Management Curriculum is designed to give you information that your practice needs. 

The program includes the following three modules:

Module 1: Adapting to Changes in Medicare. Coding and reimbursement changes put in place in 2005 affect the delivery of cancer care in the community practice setting.

Module 2: Generating Practice Efficiencies. Addresses how your practice can streamline workflow, improve inventory management, and lower cost while maintaining quality of care.

Module 3: Organizing for Service Expansion. Strategies for growth and expansion of your practice in a changing market are discussed in the context of leading and managing a practice.

These modules are designed to assist practices as they grapple with major, imminent changes in the reimbursement arena.  Each presentation is 45 minutes long, with 15 minutes allotted for a question and answer session.The ASCO Practice Management Curriculum will be offered at both 2005 Best of ASCO Meetings. The next Best of ASCO Meeting is being held Friday, June 24, from 8:30 AM to 12:00 Noon in Dallas, Texas. 

If you are interested in attending, please e-mail mussonk@asco.org or visit ASCO.org for more registration information.


News and Notes
Third-Quarter ASP Prices
CMS has released the third-quarter ASP prices. The pricing file can be found on the CMS website at www.cms.hhs.gov/providers/drugs/asp.asp. ASCO also has devised a price comparison chart.

Grassroots Advocacy Network
Many of you already participate in the legislative process by writing or calling your Member of Congress, visiting your legislators in Washington, and encouraging your peers to communicate their views to Congress as well. Through the Grassroots Advocacy Network, we can all work together to communicate more effectively on Capitol Hill about the issues that are most important to the cancer community. Joining the network is easy – please visit www.asco.org/grassroots_survey to sign up.

ASCO’s Reimbursement Hotline
If you need help with the new coding changes or the demonstration project, please contact ASCO’s Coding and Reimbursement Hotline at 703-299-1054 or by email at practice@asco.org.