2010-01-14
ASH Continues Efforts to Restore Payment for Medicare Consult Codes and to Support Hematologists
On January 12, ASH and other physician organizations sent a letter to Congress urging support for legislation to delay for one year the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) decision to eliminate payments for consult codes. Read more.
Congressional Negotiations Begin on Final Health Reform Bill
The Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives have begun a series of meetings and negotiating sessions aimed at striking a deal with the Senate on a health-care overhaul bill. Read more.
ASH Supports BCR-ABL Testing for Chronic Myeloid Leukemia to MedCAC
The Medicare Evidence Development & Coverage Advisory Committee (MedCAC) will meet on January 27 to consider and make recommendations to CMS regarding the evidence that supports the use of pharmacogenomic testing in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Currently, Medicare does not have a National Coverage Determination for using such tests for diagnosis or treatment of cancer. ASH submitted testimony that BCR-ABL testing forchronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients who are candidates for imatinib is not only justified, but necessary for diagnosis and for monitoring of therapy. The results of this meeting could impact Medicare reimbursement. For more information about this MedCAC meeting, refer to the Federal Register.
2010 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative Program Continues Financial Incentive for Physician Participation
The 2010 Physician Quality Reporting Initiative (PQRI) will continue to provide a financial incentive for professionals who participate in its voluntary quality reporting program. Eligible professionals who successfully report a designated set of quality measures on claims for dates of service from January 1, 2010, to December 31, 2010, may earn a bonus payment up to 2.0 percent of total allowed charges for covered Medicare physician fee schedule services. Hematologists can participate for the entire year or for half of the year and by claims or possibly by registry. ASH strongly encourages hematologists to participate in the PQRI program. There are four hematology measures that ASH has developed. In addition, there are other measures which a hematologist may be able to submit. To learn more, view the ASH hematology measures and PQRI educational resources provided on the ASH Web site.
2009 ASH Quick Reference: The Evaluation and Management of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia
ASH has developed a pocket-sized Quick Reference guide based on The American College of Chest Physicians Evidence-Based Clinical Practice Guideline on Antithrombotic and Thrombolytic Therapy. This free resource fits in a lab coat pocket and provides information on several topics including history, physical examination and laboratory diagnosis, a diagnosis and initial treatment algorithm, selection dosing and monitoring of non-heparin anticoagulants and special populations. Download the electronic version of the pocket guide or request a hard copy, while supplies last.
Federal Regulations Proposed to Define ‘Meaningful Use’ and Set Standards for Electronic Health Record Incentive Program
On December 30, CMS and the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology issued a regulation on meaningful use and a regulation on health information technology standards and certification. These regulations will be used to implement the electronic health record incentive programs enacted under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Read more.
Last Chance to Register for Highlights of ASH®
Join us at the Highlights of ASH meeting near you and earn up to 10.5 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
On-site registration is still available for:
The advance registration deadline has been extended for Highlights of ASH in Washington, DC, andMarina del Rey, CA. Register no later than January 20 to receive the advance registration discount.