November Newsletter: Responding to the Most Favored Nation Pricing Plan, 2021 Community Oncology Conference, and More
COA Opposes Dangerous, Misguided “Most Favored Nation” Experiment
Policy Will Harm Patients and Cancer Providers’ Ability to Access Lifesaving Drugs
On Friday, November 20, President Trump issued regulation meant to curb drug prices. This regulation creates a Most Favored Nation (MFN) drug pricing model for Medicare Part B that ties drug prices to those paid by other countries.
The MFN model is a dangerous and misguided experiment that could irreparably damage the cancer care system in the United States. Under this policy, community oncologists and their patients will find it increasingly difficult to purchase lifesaving drugs due to rising costs. In our statement on the MFN plan, COA Executive Director Ted Okon called it, “brazen and unhinged” and bypassing “existing law as established by the legislative branch of the government.”
According to the government’s own numbers, nearly one in 10 (nine percent) Medicare seniors will lose access to treatment in the first year of the MFN model. That number increases to nearly one in five (19 percent) in year three. Under the MFN model, many Medicare seniors will effectively be denied the cutting-edge drugs they need to beat cancer. This model puts a stranglehold on the supply line of cancer medications, denying access to those who need it the most.
COA is exploring all options to stop the implementation of the MFN “experiment” and preparing a detailed set of practice resources for release soon. You can read our full statement on the model below.
Register for the 2021 Community Oncology Conference
Registration Opens Tomorrow
It’s almost time for the 2021 Community Oncology Conference! The premier conference for community oncology professionals takes place virtually on April 8-9, 2021, and is free for health care professionals. The 2021 agenda is packed with sessions from experts in the clinical, business, and pharmaceutical sides of care.
More information on the 2021 Conference is coming soon; in the meantime, bookmark the link below and register when the full site opens tomorrow!
December CPAN Advocacy Chat
Discussing End of Life Planning and Care with Kashyap Patel, MD
Don’t forget to join us next Wednesday, December 9 at 12 p.m. ET for the December COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) Advocacy Chat! COA Vice President Kashyap Patel, MD, will discuss his new book, Between Life and Death: From Despair to Hope, and the role of end of life planning in cancer care with Rose Gerber, COA’s director of patient advocacy and education. A cancer diagnosis brings with it the very real possibility of mortality – it is important for advocates to provide emotional support, help patients prepare for the possibility of end of life care, and more. Dr. Patel will cover these topics and provide tips on supporting those who need it the most.
Webinars: 2021 Evaluation & Management Code Changes
Physicians, Administrators, and Clinical Staff Invited
On December 9th and 10th, clinicians and administrators can attend one of three webinars to discuss the upcoming 2021 coding changes for Evaluation and Management (E&M) services. COA’s Director of Strategic Practice Initiatives Bo Gamble will walk attendees through these changes and how you can adapt and integrate the new codes easily.
2021 will present the largest changes to Evaluation and Management services in the last 30 years. These changes will have a far reaching impact on the entire health care delivery process – altering workflow, EMR software designs, practice management software, coding, documentation, communications between care teams, and even staffing and patient scheduling.
The first webinar, which takes place on Wednesday, December 9 at 3 p.m. ET, is meant for practice administrators. The second and third webinars are meant for physicians and care delivery professionals, and will take place on Thursday, December 10 at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. ET, respectively.
Resource Spotlight: COA Advanced Practice Provider Network
Free Networking and Resource Sharing for Oncology Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Other Advanced Practice Providers
Advanced practice providers are key members of the community oncology care team. It is vitally important that they have access to the latest knowledge, tools, and resources to care for patients. To support these important caregivers, COA hosts the COA Advanced Practice Provider Network (CAPP).
CAPP is a peer-to-peer resource sharing network run by advanced practice providers, for advanced practice providers. In addition to a members-only listserv and website, CAPP hosts monthly calls to discuss new developments in community oncology. The best part? CAPP is open and free of charge.
November Newsletter: Responding to the Most Favored Nation Pricing Plan, 2021 Community Oncology Conference, and More
COA Opposes Dangerous, Misguided “Most Favored Nation” Experiment
Policy Will Harm Patients and Cancer Providers’ Ability to Access Lifesaving Drugs
On Friday, November 20, President Trump issued regulation meant to curb drug prices. This regulation creates a Most Favored Nation (MFN) drug pricing model for Medicare Part B that ties drug prices to those paid by other countries.
The MFN model is a dangerous and misguided experiment that could irreparably damage the cancer care system in the United States. Under this policy, community oncologists and their patients will find it increasingly difficult to purchase lifesaving drugs due to rising costs. In our statement on the MFN plan, COA Executive Director Ted Okon called it, “brazen and unhinged” and bypassing “existing law as established by the legislative branch of the government.”
According to the government’s own numbers, nearly one in 10 (nine percent) Medicare seniors will lose access to treatment in the first year of the MFN model. That number increases to nearly one in five (19 percent) in year three. Under the MFN model, many Medicare seniors will effectively be denied the cutting-edge drugs they need to beat cancer. This model puts a stranglehold on the supply line of cancer medications, denying access to those who need it the most.
COA is exploring all options to stop the implementation of the MFN “experiment” and preparing a detailed set of practice resources for release soon. You can read our full statement on the model below.
Register for the 2021 Community Oncology Conference
Registration Opens Tomorrow
It’s almost time for the 2021 Community Oncology Conference! The premier conference for community oncology professionals takes place virtually on April 8-9, 2021, and is free for health care professionals. The 2021 agenda is packed with sessions from experts in the clinical, business, and pharmaceutical sides of care.
More information on the 2021 Conference is coming soon; in the meantime, bookmark the link below and register when the full site opens tomorrow!
December CPAN Advocacy Chat
Discussing End of Life Planning and Care with Kashyap Patel, MD
Don’t forget to join us next Wednesday, December 9 at 12 p.m. ET for the December COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) Advocacy Chat! COA Vice President Kashyap Patel, MD, will discuss his new book, Between Life and Death: From Despair to Hope, and the role of end of life planning in cancer care with Rose Gerber, COA’s director of patient advocacy and education. A cancer diagnosis brings with it the very real possibility of mortality – it is important for advocates to provide emotional support, help patients prepare for the possibility of end of life care, and more. Dr. Patel will cover these topics and provide tips on supporting those who need it the most.
Webinars: 2021 Evaluation & Management Code Changes
Physicians, Administrators, and Clinical Staff Invited
On December 9th and 10th, clinicians and administrators can attend one of three webinars to discuss the upcoming 2021 coding changes for Evaluation and Management (E&M) services. COA’s Director of Strategic Practice Initiatives Bo Gamble will walk attendees through these changes and how you can adapt and integrate the new codes easily.
2021 will present the largest changes to Evaluation and Management services in the last 30 years. These changes will have a far reaching impact on the entire health care delivery process – altering workflow, EMR software designs, practice management software, coding, documentation, communications between care teams, and even staffing and patient scheduling.
The first webinar, which takes place on Wednesday, December 9 at 3 p.m. ET, is meant for practice administrators. The second and third webinars are meant for physicians and care delivery professionals, and will take place on Thursday, December 10 at 6:30 and 8:30 p.m. ET, respectively.
Resource Spotlight: COA Advanced Practice Provider Network
Free Networking and Resource Sharing for Oncology Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants, and Other Advanced Practice Providers
Advanced practice providers are key members of the community oncology care team. It is vitally important that they have access to the latest knowledge, tools, and resources to care for patients. To support these important caregivers, COA hosts the COA Advanced Practice Provider Network (CAPP).
CAPP is a peer-to-peer resource sharing network run by advanced practice providers, for advanced practice providers. In addition to a members-only listserv and website, CAPP hosts monthly calls to discuss new developments in community oncology. The best part? CAPP is open and free of charge.
