January 2006 Practice Update
Medicare Physician Update Still Pending Congressional Action
Due to a procedural motion, the legislation to freeze Medicare payment rates at 2005 levels must go back to the House for a vote early in 2006. Meanwhile, the scheduled Medicare physician payment cuts will become effective January 1, 2006. Now is the time to contact your Representative to urge the Congress to halt the payment cuts. Read more about this issue online and use the ASH Advocacy Center to contact your Representative.
MedPAC Reports on Effects of Payment Changes for Oncology Services
MedPAC released its mandated report to Congress titled "Effects of Medicare Payment Changes on Oncology Services." The report found no evidence of access problems for Medicare beneficiaries. It also found that oncologists responded to payment changes by cutting costs and increasing efficiency, finding new sources of revenue, or selecting more profitable patients. View the full MedPAC Report online.
Medicare Offers Guidance on Chemotherapy Demonstration
CMS has released information and guidance on the Medicare Oncology Demonstration Project. Information on policy and claims processing and documentation and coding is available online.
Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Begins January 1
Medicare Part D, the Prescription Drug Benefit, begins January 1, 2006. Beneficiaries have until May 15, 2006 to sign up without incurring a penalty. There is a wide range of plan choices available for beneficiaries to choose from.
WinRho SDF Label Includes New Warning
WinRho SDF’s new label includes a warning for patients with ITP. Severe reactions with WinRho SDF occurred within four hours of treatment.
Pennsylvania Medicaid Preferred Drug List
The Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee for Pennsylvania Medicaid voted to keep all hemophilia drugs on their Preferred Drug List (PDL). The recommendation of the Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee was accepted by the PA Department of Public Welfare. ASH submitted a letter to the Medicaid program on this issue.
If you have questions, or need more information about the items above, please contact ASH Practice Advocacy Manager Pamela Ferraro by e-mail or call 202-776-0544.