Why should patients care about how physicians are paid? Because the way we as a country, and Medicare as the largest payer, compensate physicians directly affects the care patients receive. Our current system is not sustainable for physicians, patients, or taxpayers. The manner in which Medicare currently reimburses for cancer care is unsatisfactory to all, […]
The National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) applauds the recent decision by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to initiate the Medicare Care Choices Model, a project to evaluate the impact of permitting Medicare patients to receive ongoing curative care while also receiving hospice care. “NCCS has focused its policy efforts on ensuring cancer […]
NCCS joined colleagues in the Cancer Leadership Council in commending the work of the Senate Finance Committee on the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act of 2014. The legislation offers a responsible process for moving the Medicare program away from a system that emphasizes volume of services to one that focuses on quality […]
In a recent article posted online via CURE Magazine, Shelley Fuld Nasso describes experiences that underscore the need for improved communication between patients and providers, as well as the evidence-base that informs NCCS’ push for cancer care planning. The Institute of Medicine recently proposed a framework for quality cancer care that centers on engaged patients […]
NCCS joined with 20 patient advocacy groups and professional societies to urge the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to correct a long-standing inequity in Medicare coverage by requiring Medicare Advantage plans to provide coverage for clinical trials. Currently, individuals with Medicare Advantage plans must revert to standard fee-for-service Medicare if they wish to […]
NCCS joined its colleagues in the Cancer Leadership Council in urging the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to reconsider the new policy on classes of clinical concern that has been proposed for Medicare Part D beginning in contract year 2015. CMS has proposed removing three classes of drugs from “protected classes” status. In […]
NCCS is following two important policy developments that will impact Medicare payments for physician services. Congress is making early steps to reform Medicare payments for physician services, and the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) is seeking public input on refinements in Medicare payments to physician specialists. These steps to improve the Medicare payment […]
As Congress deliberates significant reforms of Medicare payments for physicians, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has released the final fee schedule for calendar year 2014. In the final schedule, CMS abandoned a payment revision that would have significantly reduced rates of pay for certain cancer diagnostic tests and radiation oncology services. At […]
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Founder
Northeast Regional Cancer Institute
“Perhaps one of the most impactful collaborations in Dr. Brereton’s extraordinary career remains his early work and long friendship with Ellen Stovall. Through him, and in turn through the thousands of lives he has touched, Ellen’s work continues, and her mission lives on.”
—Karen M. Saunders
President, Northeast Regional Cancer Institute