ASCO in Action

ASCO in Action provides the latest news and analysis related to critical policy issues affecting the cancer community, updates on the Association for Clinical Oncology’s ongoing advocacy efforts, and opportunities for members and others in the cancer care community to take action.

To sign up for advocacy alerts, log in to ASCO.org with your member or guest account, and visit the subscription center available under your account profile.

Showing results for Medicare

March 20, 2023
Reduced Beneficiary Coinsurance for 27 Part B Drugs in Effect April 1; Includes Cancer Drugs

On January 1, a provision of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) went into effect requiring drug companies to pay rebates to Medicare when prescription drug prices increase faster than the rate of inflation for certain drugs given to people enrolled in the program. The provision also provides for lower Medicare Part B beneficiary cost sharing on such drugs beginning April 1, 2023.

CMS Cost of Care Medicare
March 14, 2023
Electronic Prior Authorization Processes Must Be Expedited and Include Cancer Drug Treatments

The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) submitted comments in response to a Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services' (CMS) proposal is to streamline prior authorization by requiring Medicare Advantage plans, Medicaid plans, and Qualified Health Plans (QHP) on Federally Facilitated Exchanges (FFEs) to establish an electronic prior authorization process that would be integrated into a provider’s workflow.

Access Advocacy CMS Medicare
February 16, 2023
Three Models Testing Ways to Lower Drug Costs Outlined in Health and Human Services Report

On February 14, 2023, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced that the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) selected three models aiming to address high prescription drug costs for testing by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI). This effort to identify ways to lower drug costs in United States comes in response to President Biden’s Executive Order, “Lowering Prescription Drug Costs for Americans,” which complements provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

Advocacy CMS Cost of Care Medicare
February 14, 2023
Legislation to Increase PBM Transparency and Lower Out-of-Pocket Costs Introduced in Congress

Both chambers of the United States Congress are working on a top health care priority for the session—protecting patients from high out-of-pocket drug costs and pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) practices that could reduce access and adherence to treatments. The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) will monitor the status of these bills and any future bills that address PBM practices and patient out-of-pocket costs, and it will work with Congress to ensure the oncology community is heard throughout the process.

Access Advocacy Congress Medicare
February 14, 2023
Estimated Impact of 2023 Medicare Physician Reimbursement Cuts Now -1% for Hematology/Oncology

The American Medical Association (AMA) released an updated Specialty Impact Table for Medicare physician reimbursement in calendar year 2023. The estimated impact on the hematology/oncology specialty is now -1% for 2023. Though, individual or practice level effects of these changes will vary based on geographic location, service location, and mix of services billed.

Advocacy CMS Medicare Reimbursement
February 14, 2023
Medicare Advantage Proposal Aims to Curb Prior Authorization Abuses, Improve Equity

The Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) submitted comments in response to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Contract Year 2024 Policy and Technical Changes to the Medicare Advantage (MA) and Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit Programs proposed rule. ASCO’s comments focus heavily on the proposed changes to prior authorization in the MA program in addition to enhancing health equity and other updates to the Part D drug benefit program.

Access Advocacy CMS Medicare
February 8, 2023
Cancer Doctors Applaud State of the Union’s Focus on Ending Cancer as We Know it

“ASCO applauds President Biden’s focus on ‘ending cancer as we know it’ during the State of the Union address. We continue to urge the president to keep cancer care and research as top national priorities and are pleased with his plans to advance efforts to strengthen the Cancer Moonshot, improve cancer clinical trials, and foster breakthroughs through the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health (ARPA-H).” 

Access Advocacy Cancer Drugs Cancer Research Congress Federal Funding Medicaid Medicare
February 7, 2023
Cancer Doctors Look for Strong Health Care Priorities in the State of the Union Address

In anticipation of President Biden’s State of the Union Address, the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) is urging the president to keep cancer care and research as top national priorities.

Access Advocacy Federal Funding Medicaid Medicare
January 26, 2023
Congress Must Establish Long-Term Medicare Payment Solutions to Preserve Access to High-Quality Care

the Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO), along with more than 100 other provider organizations, sent a letter to Members of Congress urging them to preserve access to high-quality care for beneficiaries by reforming the Medicare payment system. The letter urges Congress to hold hearings and work with stakeholders, such as ASCO, this year to identify long-term payment solutions.

Access Advocacy Congress Medicare Reimbursement
January 6, 2023
Congress Passes Omnibus Providing Cancer Research Funding and Mitigating Medicare Cuts

On December 23, 2022, Congress passed a Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 omnibus funding bill, which funds all federal agencies through September 30, 2023, and includes several health policies, such as mitigating Medicare physician payment cuts, Food and Drug Administration (FDA) reforms, and telehealth expansion. The Association continues to analyze the legislative package and will provide additional details in the coming days.

Access Advocacy Congress FDA Federal Funding Medicare NIH/NCI Reimbursement