National Policy Resources—Local Advocacy Results

As cancer care professionals who experience the challenges of providing quality cancer care first-hand, TACOS members are well positioned to educate decision-makers on how coverage and reimbursement issues affect community oncology. State and federal legislation can have a significant impact on the financial viability of local cancer programs, which is why it's so important that our members make their voices heard.

In an effort to provide resources needed to effectively advocate on the issues that are important to them, our redesigned advocacy webpage features activity from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), national healthcare coverage through the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC), local news articles and webinars, and more.

We want to hear from you! If there is a specific piece of legislation you want to know more about, an important resource we're missing, or if you want to get more involved, please contact us!

 

Implementing the New CMS Reimbursement Billing Codes for Patient Navigation Services

As of January 1, 2024, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services introduced new codes so that Medicare could reimburse for patient navigation services. To address challenges of implementation, the Association of Cancer Care Centers, in partnership with TACOS and 11 other state societies from CO, IN, IA, NV, NM, NY, NC, SC, WA, WI, and WY, has a 4-part webinar series, Implementing the New CMS Reimbursement Billing Codes for Patient Navigation Services, hosted by Teri Bedard of Revenue Cycle Coding Strategies.

 

The New CMS Navigation Reimbursement Billing Codes: A 101


The 2024 Physician Fee Schedule included 7 new codes specific to care management. This webinar reviews how these differ from the care management codes available from the American Medical Association, common questions, and challenges for implementing these new codes.

Access a PDF of the slides here.

 

Principal Illness Navigation (PIN) Services Documentation, Coding, and Billing


The 2024 Physician Fee Schedule includes four new codes specific to Principal Illness Navigation–Peer Support. With these new codes, providers will be able to bill for the services of navigators, social workers, and support personnel. This webinar goes into a deep dive, reviewing components of the new codes, answering common questions, and addressing challenges for providers.

Access a PDF of the slides here.

 

AMA CPT® Coding Update for Oncology Navigation Services and The Cancer Moonshot

The American Medical Association (AMA) released a coding update for oncology navigation services in alignment with The Cancer Moonshot program. Featuring discussion on the updates and guidelines from the AMA and review of the components of the AMA’s codes, how these differ from the codes from CMS, and challenges for providers.

Access a PDF of the slides here.

 

CHI & SDOH Risk Assessment Documentation, Coding, and Billing for Oncology Providers and Administrators & Series Wrap-up

The 2024 Physician Fee Schedule includes seven new codes specific to CHI services, SDOH Risk Assessment, and Principal Illness Navigation–Peer Support. With these new codes, providers can bill for the services of navigators, social workers, and support personnel. This final installment reviews the components of these new codes, common questions, and challenges for providers.

Access a PDF of the slides here.

 

 

 

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ASCO® Advocacy Summit
April 16-17, 2024

Sharad Khurana, MD, MSC President Elect for The Arizona Clinical Oncology Society (TACOS), Named Advocacy Champion by the Association for Clinical Oncology

The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) named Dr. Khurana as an Advocacy Champion during the 2024 ASCO Advocacy Summit in April. Advocacy Champions are ASCO volunteers who have made meaningful contributions to the Association’s advocacy activities throughout the year to ensure that every patient with cancer has access to high-quality, equitable cancer care no matter who they are or where they live. Advocates speak with federal lawmakers and agencies, send personalized letters to Members of Congress through ASCO’s ACT Network, engage with state lawmakers on policy priorities at the state-level, and host site visits for lawmakers in their home states and districts.

Throughout the past year, Dr. Khurana has worked with TACOS on Policy in Arizona that would affect cancer patients along with federal policy.

Sharad Khurana, MD, MSC is an assistant professor of medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine.  

For more news, advocacy, and analysis on cancer policy, please visit asco.org/association.

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TACOS President-Elect Sharad Khurana, MD, MSC from the University of Arizona participated in ASCO Advocacy Day, April 16-17, 2024. He was able to meet with Representative Juan Ciscomani of Arizona along with Sameer Keole, MD from the Mayo Clinic.

 

State Advocacy

Biomarker Testing in Arizona

In 2022, ACS CAN led a successful legislative campaign in Arizona to expand access to biomarker testing. In this recently released video, Governor Ducey, Representative Regina Cobb, Dr. Rachna Shroff, and Holly Hill reflect on the impact this law will have on patients across the state. 

Posted 09/22/2022

 

Arizona Celebrates Huge Victory with the Signing of SB 1270!

Last week marks a major victory for Arizonans with the signing of Senate Bill 1270, which provides common-sense guardrails to ensure transparent, efficient, and fair processes for patients and their providers. Read full one pager. 

Posted 07/12/2021

 

Arizonans for Step Therapy Reform: New Op-Ed Shines Light on Step Therapy's Harm

As conversations with bill sponsors and the Governor's office continue about the timing to bring SB 1270 to the floor of the full House, read this recent opinion piece, which shines light on the impact of step therapy on Arizona families.  

Posted 04/29/2021

 

Arizonans for Step Therapy Reform: An Update on SB 1270

Conversations are continuing with the Governor's office about whether or not SB 1270 must be tied to the state budget. In a recent op-ed, Jasleen Chhatwal, president of the Arizona Psychiatric Society, weighs in on how step therapy interferes in doctor-patient relationships. Read it here. 

Posted 04/16/2021

 

Arizonans for Step Therapy Reform: An Update on SB 1270

The Rules Committee has cleared Senate Bill 1270 by Senator Nancy Barto to head to the House floor. Please continue to reach out to House members and engage on social media. For a list of House members and their contact information, click here. 

Posted 04/02/2021

 

Arizonans for Step Therapy Reform: An Update on SB 1270

10-year-old Tucson advocate captures media attention after sharing her story about step therapy's impact on a child with juvenile arthritis. As we wait for the House to vote on Senate Bill 1270: Insurance; Prescription Drugs; Step Therapy, please be sure to follow @OSSatACCC and @AZStepReform on Twitter and thank @NancyBarto for sponsoring this bill, which would ensure patient access to quality and timely treatment.

Posted 03/30/2021

 

Guest Column: Arizona legislators should support bill to help improve patient care

In light of Senate Bill 1270: Insurance; Prescription Drugs; Step Therapy having been sent from the Senate to the House of Representatives, TACOS Board Member Raju Vaddepally, MD, Yuma Regional Medical Center Cancer Center, published an opinion piece on the importance of this bill in ensuring patient access to quality and timely treatment. Read it here. 

Posted 03/08/2021

 

FROM THE ACCCBUZZ BLOG

  • An Update on Healthcare Legislation at the State Level
    By Christian G. Downs, MHA, JD
    March 22, 2023
    If you are looking for legislative action, look no further than your state's legislatures. Most—if not all—states have had issues relating to oncology care and healthcare in general come up during their 2023 sessions.
  • ACCC Announces its 2023 Advocacy Agenda
    March 07, 2023
    For 2023, ACCC members have identified four core areas of focus (e.g., reimbursement, utilization management, provider-patient choice), among a larger set of issues and concerns, that the association will be supporting this year.
  • ACCC Recognizes National Caregivers Day: Analyzing a Mental Health Crisis
    February 17, 2023
    Today is National Caregivers Day, and ACCCBuzz analyzes the current mental health crisis that is affecting the caregivers of loved ones everywhere.

Advocacy In the News

CMS Announces CY 2023 PFS Proposed Rule

On July 7, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the Calendar Year (CY) 2023 Physician Fee Schedule (PFS) proposed rule, which would significantly expand access to behavioral health services, Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), cancer screening, and dental care—particularly in rural and underserved areas.

“Integrated coordinated, whole-person care—which addresses physical health, behavioral health, and social determinants of health—is crucial for people with Medicare, especially those with complex needs,” said Dr. Meena Seshamani, deputy administrator at CMS and director of the Center for Medicare. “If finalized, the proposals in this rule will advance equity, lead to better care, support healthier populations, and drive smarter spending of the Medicare dollar.

For more information, read the proposed rule as well as the CMS press release and fact sheet.

Posted 7/8/2022

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Oncology State Societies at ACCC: Snapshot from the 2022 ASCO Annual Meeting

In this clip, Stephanie Van Winkle, Executive Director of the Oncology State Societies at ACCC, gives an overview of the important work the Oncology State Societies does to empower its members around state and federal advocacy issues, and help them support cancer care delivery in their state. Join today!