The mission of NNECOS is to promote the highest quality care for patients with cancer and blood disorders in our region through professional networking, education, and scientific research, as well as patient advocacy and public policy.
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NNECOS Provides Pivotal Support for ASCO's
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Initiative
NNECOS is proud to be an annual supporter of ASCO's EDI Initiative
A concerted commitment across research stakeholders is necessary to increase equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) and address barriers to cancer clinical trial recruitment and participation. Racial and ethnic diversity among trial participants is key to understanding intrinsic and extrinsic factors that may affect patient response to cancer treatments. The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) jointly released recommendations to address equity, diversity, and inclusion in cancer clinical trials. The statement, Increasing Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Cancer Clinical Trials: An American Society of Clinical Oncology and Association of Community Cancer Centers, published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, details specific actions on expanding underrepresented individuals’ participation in vital cancer research. Read the news release.
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN!
OCN REVIEW COURSE
SEPTEMBER 9-10, 2022
CONCORD, NH
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Achieving the professional specialty certification of Oncology Certified Nurse (OCN) is a validation of a nurse's clinical experience and knowledge, a professional accomplishment recognized by patients and peers. Our review course is an intensive training devoted to oncology nurses. Featuring an all-new curriculum to reflect the updated review book and exam blueprints, our course also includes a virtual practice test question night on September 15th, which helps contribute to the success of past participants in passing the exam. Participants who pass the OCN exam are also eligible to receive a congratulatory gift card!
Register Today!
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Next up in the NNECOS Lunchtime Best Oncology Practice Series, we are pleased to present a pair of exceptional original content webinars offering Nursing Continuing Professional Development (NCPD), formerly CEUs.
Thursday, June 16th - “I’m your nurse”: A Qualitative Descriptive Study of the Experiences of African American Registered Nurses in the Greater Boston Area.
Kecia Boyd, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, AOCNS, BMTCN, Director, Inclusion, Diversity and Equity, Nursing and Patient Care Services at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA shares the results of her qualitative study, implications, and the importance of practicing allyship in addressing racism in nursing.
African- American registered nurses have a unique history of experiences related to the ongoing effects of social injustice, exclusion, invisibility, racial discrimination, systemic racism, and marginalization.
Thursday, July 21st - Navigating Cancer-Related Legal Issues to Help Patients Avoid Financial Toxicity
Cancer is expensive. But there are ways to minimize the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis and treatment. Monica Bryant, a cancer rights attorney, and COO of Triage Cancer, will provide information about health insurance options and navigation, employment rights, and disability insurance. Attendees will walk away with practical tools to help their patients avoid financial toxicity. Set a recurring appointment on your calendar for the third Thursday of each month, and plan to share your lunchtime with NNECOS. View the current schedule and sign-up for the NNECOS Lunchtime Best Oncology Practice Series at nnecos.org/lunchtime.
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The 2022 NNECOS Patient Assistance Presentation Series begins Thursday, June 2nd.
Previously offered in conjunction with the NNECOS Spring Meeting, this virtual series provides an opportunity for invited corporate member companies to showcase their patient assistance programs to financial advocates, social workers, navigators, and other interested members of the care team in the NNECOS community, with lunch provided by NNECOS. Register today at nnecos.org/reimbursement.
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Check out the latest listings on the NNECOS Classifieds page. Positions are available at:
- Northern Light Health Eastern Maine Medical Center
- UVM Cancer Center / Larner College of Medicine
- DHMC Norris Cotton Cancer Center
Looking for a new team member? NNECOS members may request an advertisement be placed on the NNECOS Classifieds page.
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NNECOS ANNUAL MEETING OCTOBER 28-29, 2022
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REMINDER:
NEW ROOM RESERVATION PROCEDURE
Anticipating continued high demand for onsite accommodations at Omni Mt. Washington Resort, the new rooming list process for reserving discounted NNECOS rooms will allow NNECOS to provide accommodations more equitably for registered attendees and corporate members.
Accommodation requests will be processed at the time of meeting registration - directly through NNECOS - please DO NOT contact the Mt. Washington to reserve your room! We anticipate registration will open in mid to late June - updates will be provided as the date approaches, but in the meantime, SAVE THE DATE - October 28-29, 2022.
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In response to the ongoing pandemic, the NNECOS Board of Directors, through the NNECOS Philanthropy Task Force, is pleased to continue to support two emergency need programs designed to bring help to patients with cancer who are facing extra need during this global pandemic. nnecos.org/ccsc
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Survey Finds Interventions Needed to Improve Data Collection on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity in Oncology Practice Recently, JCO Oncology Practice published a new ASCO study which found that among respondents participating in the survey, most oncology practices do not systematically collect data related to sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI). The study points to the need to increase understanding about disparities that sexual and gender minorities (SGM) face and the impact of implicit biases, and to improve structural processes related to SOGI documentation. The lack of data collection is a key factor that contributes to barriers in addressing cancer disparities among SGM patients, according to the authors. Read more on ASCO in Action.
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New ASCO Journal Series Puts Sharp Focus on Disparities in Cancer Care for Hispanic/Latinx Population
JCO Oncology Practice recently published a special series that examines the causes of disparities in cancer care and outcomes in the U.S. Hispanic/Latinx population and offers potential solutions to increase equity for this population. “Disparities in Cancer Care and Scientific Knowledge in Hispanic/Latinx People in the United States” features 18 articles and editorials that present new data and opportunities on a wide variety of topics, including prevention and screening, genetic testing, clinical trial enrollment and participation, access to affordable health care, and workforce representation, among others. Read more in the Journal’s May issue.
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Maine Copay Accumulator and Fertility Preservation Bills Become Law
As session has adjourned, Governor Janet Mills signed Maine LD 1539, a bill providing coverage for fertility preservation services for patients with cancer. With her signature, Maine becomes the twelfth state to provide this coverage, with the law taking effect in 2024. NNECOS and Association for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) will monitor developments surrounding the rulemaking process.
LD 1783, a bill eliminating copay accumulator programs supported by NNECOS and ASCO, became law without signature as Governor Mills declined to sign or veto the measure.
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ASCO Quality Training Program Registration Closes June 14
The Quality Training Program (QTP) helps physician-led oncology teams design, implement, and lead successful quality improvement activities in their practice settings. It equips oncology providers with the quality improvement tools and resources critical to reducing clinical variation, increasing efficiencies, and improving patient outcomes.
Register today!
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Prior Authorization Significantly Delays Care in Medicare Advantage
A new report found that 13% of prior authorization denials in the Medicare Advantage (MA) program were for service requests that met Medicare fee-for-service coverage rules, likely delaying or preventing patient care. The report, conducted by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office of Inspector General (OIG), on the impact of prior authorization within MA found that imaging services, stays in post-acute facilities, and injections were three prominent service types among the denials that met Medicare coverage rules. Read more on ASCO in Action.
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Industry-Related Resources
The NNECOS website hosts a variety of collated resources related to cancer medications, including our NNECOS FDA Approvals page - a chronological, collated resource for the latest approval and indication information. For those times when you're looking for a specific manufacturer or drug-specific reimbursement contact, check out our Regional Reimbursement Contacts page. For your convenience, we also provide information for you to stay up-to-date with Package/Label and Code updates.
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FDA Approvals
- May 27th - FDA approves tisagenlecleucel for relapsed or refractory follicular lymphoma
- May 27th - FDA approves Opdivo in combination with chemotherapy and Opdivo in combination with Yervoy for first-line esophageal squamous cell carcinoma indications
- May 25th - FDA approves ivosidenib in combination with azacitidine for newly diagnosed acute myeloid leukemia
- May 20th - FDA approves azacitidine for newly diagnosed juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia
- May 4th - FDA grants regular approval to fam-trastuzumab deruxtecan-nxki for breast cancer
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