May 2006 Practice Update

AMA Physician Consortium for Performance Improvement
At the Spring Committee on Practice Meeting, guest speaker Dr. Karen Kmetik of the AMA provided information on the Physician Consortium. Click Consortium for general information on this consortium, or on members to view a list of member organizations. ASH is working with the Physician Consortium and will keep the Committee apprised of new developments.

Pay-for-Performance Pilot Program Begins
Bridges-to-Excellence, a three-year pilot project, will offer physicians incentive payments up to $40,000 for meeting certain quality criteria. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina is the first insurer to offer performance incentive payments.

Industry Falls Short in Posting Clinical Cancer Trial Information
According to a report soon to be released by the Food and Drug Administration, not all clinical cancer trials sponsored by drug manufacturers are being posted on the NIH-run Web site ClinicalTrials.gov. Government-sponsored cancer trials are fully in compliance. ASH will provide a link to the report when it becomes available.

HHS OIG Gives Nod to Patient Assistance Programs
The HHS Office of Inspector General will not impose sanctions on Schering-Plough in regards to their Commitment to Care assistance program, which includes drugs for treatment of cancer. This advisory opinion may pave the way for other manufacturers to offer such plans to qualifying Part D beneficiaries. An advisory opinion regarding non-profit groups was also released.

Medicare Names CAP Vendor and Begins Physician Enrollment
BioScrip Inc. was selected as the vendor for the initial stage of the Medicare Competive Acquisition Program (CAP). Click here for the list of CAP drugs. Physicians may enroll in the CAP program until June 2 for 2006.

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.