Gail Thompson

October 1 is behind us. The International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Edition, Clinical Modification/Procedure Coding System (ICD-10-CM/PCS) is the new standard of the land. It was mandated that all healthcare providers in the United States comply with exclusive utilization of the ICD-10 coding system as of October 1, 2015. Read More ›

Personalized medicine gained a national platform with the January 2015 proposal by President Barack Obama to analyze genetic information from more than 1 million American volunteers, as part of a new initiative to understand human disease and develop medicines targeted to an individual’s genetic makeup. The president included a $215-million line item in his proposed 2016 budget to fund this initiative. Read More ›

Now that ICD-10 has become a reality, oncology practices are still going to face uncertain income, unready payers, delays in payment, and possible take-backs of paid monies following audits after the fact. Read More ›

Attendees at the 2015 Association for Value-Based Cancer Care conference heard Robert “Bo” Gamble, Director of Strategic Practice Initiatives, Community Oncology Alliance (COA), describe recent accreditation initiatives for the oncology medical home (OMH) model. Read More ›

Public and private payers, policy advisors, and oncologists and nurses from the audience debated how to measure quality in cancer care during a panel discussion at the 2015 Association for Value-Based Cancer Care conference. John Fox, MD, MHA, Senior Medical Director and Associate Vice President of Medical Affairs, Priority Health moderated the discussion. Read More ›

There are barriers to a pathways-type approach to medicine, which can help oncologists provide structure to complex data from multiple inputs at the point of care, according to a speaker at the 2015 AVBCC annual meeting. Read More ›

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was signed into law on April 16, making history not just by repealing the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula for Medicare physician payment, but for the resounding bipartisan support of the legislation after decades of partisan posturing in the US House of Representatives and Senate. Read More ›

The Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) was signed into law on April 16, making history not just by repealing the sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula for Medicare physician payment, but for the resounding bipartisan support of the legislation after decades of partisan posturing in the US House of Representatives and Senate. Read More ›

The verdict is in: Congress has passed legislation to permanently repeal Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula. The bill was approved by the US House of Representatives on March 26, and the 92-8 vote in the US Senate on April 14 now puts the legislation in the hands of President Barack Obama, who is expected to sign it. The $200-billion deal staves off a 21.2% cut to Medicare payment rates and extends the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) while repealing the nearly 20-year-old formula. Read More ›

Once again, providers and practice administrators are in limbo about the status of Medicare payments. In late March, Congress moved closer than they ever had before, but stopped just short of repealing and replacing Medicare’s sustainable growth rate (SGR) physician payment formula. Read More ›

A panel of experts gathered recently to explore changes that are expected for oncology in the field of personalized medicine as well as their impact on future delivery systems. The panel discussion, held in November at the Cancer Center Business Summit, highlighted what appears to be a gap between the medical community and companies that provide testing for personalized medicine. At the same time, the panelists agreed that available data and information relating personalized medicine to cancer treatment choices is not yet being used to full efficacy, which presents an untapped opportunity for cancer patients. Read More ›

Changes in oncology payment and reimbursement as well as delivery models were reviewed recently by an expert panel at the Cancer Center Business Summit (CCBS). Providers, payers, industry representatives, and thought leaders were on hand to share their thoughts and experiences. Read More ›

Practice managers, physicians, and members of industry gathered recently at the Cancer Center Business Summit (CCBS) to consider the state of cancer care delivery and its future. A panel discussion among key thought leaders featured perspectives from the oncology community as well as national policy advisors. Read More ›

Practice managers, physicians, and members of industry gathered recently at the Cancer Center Business Summit (CCBS) to consider the state of cancer care delivery and its future. A panel discussion among key thought leaders featured perspectives from the oncology community as well as national policy advisors. Read More ›

Changes in oncology payment and reimbursement as well as delivery models were reviewed recently by an expert panel at the Cancer Center Business Summit (CCBS). Providers, payers, industry representatives, and thought leaders were on hand to share their thoughts and experiences. Read More ›

At the Community Oncology Alliance (COA)’s 2013 annual conference on March 22, 2013, David Eagle, MD, from Lake Norman Hematology Oncology Specialists in North Carolina, presented an illuminating program on the rapid growth of federal reporting on physicians and hospitals in the name of quality. Read More ›

On a regular basis, news headlines across the country announce the opening of another accountable care organization (ACO)—a phrase that was rarely, if ever, heard before the passage of the Affordable Care Act. This game-changing healthcare reform element created the mechanism for Medicare providers to establish ACOs. Read More ›

The American Pioneer Spirit is still alive today. At the 2012 Cancer Center Business Summit, attendees enjoyed the chance to walk through the challenges and possibilities of an emerging model in cancer care that is quickly becoming a buzzword for change—the oncology medical home. Read More ›

Can we create a system of care that will demonstrate cost-effectiveness and change the way oncology is being practiced? This was the focus of several provider-driven innovative solutions discussed at the 2012 Cancer Center Business Summit. Read More ›

Many hospitals and physician groups are courting now, exploring the possible option of physicians going hospital-based. Read More ›