Published on May 21, 2024
The Latest in ASTCT Advocacy: May 2024
by May 2024 Advocacy Update
Understanding CMS Proposals for IPPS FY 2025: Key Updates on Medicare Payment Rates and Policies
The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has released a FY 2025 proposed rule to the Inpatient Prospective Payment Systems. ASTCT will be circulating draft comments to CMS in advance of the comment period closing on June 10. Comments can be submitted to CMS via their website.
ASTCT Webinar: Medicare FY 2025 IPPS Proposed Rule
May 15 at 12 p.m. CDT.
Join ASTCT Director of Government Relations, Alycia Maloney, JD, and the reimbursement and policy advisors to ASTCT from Nimitt Consulting, to understand the Medicare FY 2025 IPPS Proposed Rule and what this means for our field.
ASTCT will review the CMS proposals for FY 2025, including the following key points:
• Proposed increases to the MS-DRG base payment rates for stem cell transplant and CAR-T/Other Immunotherapy inpatient Medicare cases.
• Proposed Fixed Loss Outlier Threshold amount of $49,237 – an additional loss of approximately $7,000 per case from FY 2024.
• Proposed changes to the New Technology Add-on Payment policies and processes.
There will be a Q&A section at the end of the webinar. You can submit questions in advance to info@astct.org. If you are unable to join, the recording will be made available.
Advocacy in Cell Therapy at the 2024 Leadership Course
The 2024 Leadership Course took place Thursday, May 2 - Friday, May 3 at the ASTCT Headquarters in Washington D.C. Dianna Howard, MD, hosted a panel including Alycia Maloney, JD, ASTCT; Suzie Leous, MPA, ASH; and Jennifer Holter Chakrabarty, MD, FASTCT, OUHSC. The panel entitled "Advocacy: Policy, Pitch, and Politics" was dedicated to discovering your power as an advocate for cell therapy and learning how to influence local, state, and federal policy.
ASTCT Celebrates Expanded Medicare Coverage for HSCT in MDS Patients
In response to requests from leading medical societies, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have revised the National Coverage Determination (NCD) for allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) for myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS). This crucial change, advocated by ASH, ASTCT, NMDP, and CIBMTR, extends Medicare coverage to more patients, offering them potential life-saving treatment earlier.
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ASTCT Supports the FDA’s Approval of Earlier Use of CAR T-Cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma
ASTCT supports the recent decision by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow earlier access to CAR T-cell therapies, Carvykti® and Abecma®, for adult patients with multiple myeloma. Previously restricted to later stages of treatment, Carvykti® will now be available as a second-line therapy, and Abecma® as a third-line therapy.
This significant FDA approval follows recommendations from the Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee (ODAC) in March 2024, aiming to introduce these life-saving treatments earlier in the disease course. "This is a positive step forward in granting greater access to CAR T therapies," says ASTCT president Corey Cutler, MD, MPH. "Early intervention could improve the quality of life for patients by applying this advanced therapy before their immune system is heavily compromised by multiple chemotherapy treatments."
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Join ASTCT's Hill Day this September
ASTCT encourages all members to actively engage and explore opportunities for involvement. The upcoming Hill Day is scheduled for September 9-10. ASTCT recognizes the importance of collective action in advancing advocacy goals.
Leading to the ASTCT Hill Day, we will share ways you can lend your voice to our advocacy efforts. Visit the ASTCT website to learn more about the ASTCT Hill Day and how you can participate in our grassroots campaign in September.
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