ASCO in Action

ASCO in Action provides the latest news and analysis related to critical policy issues affecting the cancer community, updates on the Association for Clinical Oncology’s ongoing advocacy efforts, and opportunities for members and others in the cancer care community to take action.

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Showing results for Reimbursement

March 30, 2021
Congress Expected to Extend Moratorium on Medicare Sequestration Cuts Through End of 2021; Claims on Hold Begins April 1

UPDATE: On Tuesday, April 13, 2021, the House passed the Senate bill to extend the moratorium on the 2% Medicare sequestration cuts through the end of the calendar year. President Biden is expected to sign the bill into law. CMS will resume processing claims shortly thereafter. 

Both chambers of the United States Congress recently passed separate bills to extend the temporary moratorium on the 2% sequestration cut to Medicare reimbursement. The moratorium is currently set to expire on March 31, 2021, and both bills would extend the moratorium until December 31, 2021. However, since the House and Senate legislation differ, further action is needed before the extension becomes law.

Advocacy CMS Congress Medicare Reimbursement
March 30, 2021
Help Advance Cancer Policy Priorities During ASCO Advocacy Summit Week of Action: April 12-16

The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is holding its 2021 ASCO Advocacy Summit Week of Action from April 12-16. During the Week of Action, ASCO members can visit ASCO’s easy-to-use ACT Network to quickly and efficiently contact their lawmakers to urge them to take action on cancer policy priorities.

Access Advocacy Cancer Research Congress Federal Funding NIH/NCI Oncology Practice Reimbursement
March 2, 2021
Eligible Clinicians Will Not Face Payment Penalties for MIPS Performance in 2020

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will hold physicians harmless from Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) penalties due to the significant disruptions the COVID-19 public health emergency placed on physician practices’ performance in 2020.

CMS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Medicare Reimbursement
February 17, 2021
Actions Early in Biden Administration Mirror ASCO Road to Recovery Report

The American Society of Clinical Oncology’s (ASCO) Road to Recovery Report: Learning from the COVID-19 Experience to Improve Clinical Research and Cancer Care, among other recommendations, calls for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a special enrollment period on the federal health insurance exchange, abandon plans that limit access to healthcare, and enact policies that enhance access to care for patients with cancer. ASCO applauds the Biden administration for its recent actions supporting policies that aim to promote and protect access to high-quality, equitable cancer care, as outlined in the “Road to Recovery” report.

Access CMS Coronavirus (COVID-19) Healthcare Reform Medicare Reimbursement
January 6, 2021
Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Conversion Factor Updated to Reflect 2021 Federal Funding Package

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced a revised Medicare Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) Conversion Factor (CF) of $34.8931 for 2021. This represents a 3.3% reduction from the 2020 CF of $36.0869. CMS updated the CF as a result of a provision in the $1.4 trillion Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 (H.R 133), which was signed into law on December 27, 2020.

CMS Medicare Reimbursement