Stephanie Farnia

MPH = Public Health Nerd

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

@DrMiguelPerales @ASH_hematology @ASHClinicalNews @ASHCollab I said "I miss going to medical conferences" to my husband the other day and he looked at me like he was seriously concerned. :)

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

@sghmd This article from the @WSJ this morning aligns with your findings - 12 individuals highlighted/interviewed, none of them are women. https://t.co/j0jqN2cqnD

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

@FieldMuseum Maybe a follow-along for the scavenger hunt lists that are floating around? Your answers/items would be way more fun than ours. :)

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

I carry with me a deep sense of gratefulness that individuals like the physicians and health care leaders I have to come to know here are working hard every day to make the impossible that much more possible for all of us and our loved ones. Truly a privilege to witness.

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

This month's column was difficult to write - and I still have not come up with the right words to express my appreciation for getting to work with the folks in this field for the past 10 years. https://t.co/IIJoIX2WV8

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

I wrap up my time at the ASBMT tomorrow and head into a new role in mid-December, with a few lovely weeks in-between to make-up for lost time with the family. The new position will probably mean less activity here in the twitterverse and I'll update my profile accordingly.

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

@ASBMT joined with @ASH_hematology to submit a series of recommendations on CAR-T coverage and payment policy to @CMSGov this afternoon. Goals: protect patient access & increase transparency. Not light reading - you might want to stretch a bit first... https://t.co/qVNj2TK4m0

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

Facilities would be randomized within TBD geographical unit of analysis into current payment system (ASP+6%) or new IPI/vendor system. Understatement = this is a massive proposed change and all should read the 60 pages.

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

Full proposed rule posted re: new MANDATORY drug payment model. Built off CAP structure - Part B drugs/infusions purchased by 3rd party vendors and they hold title until administered by providers. Comments due 12/31. https://t.co/uCfiT0Y2Ep

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

Up for comment is which drug types would be included - from my read, CAR-T qualifies (outpatient CAR-T) but may not be in first wave until more international prices are available. Unclear how international prices will be determined when part of OBP/VBP agreements.

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

@DrMiguelPerales @CMSGov @CIBMTR @BeTheMatch @BTMPublicPolicy @ASBMT @drkomanduri Editorial update: comment period will be in mid-February with release of proposed decision. But yes - very important.

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

CAP discussion from the @CMSGov OPPS proposed rule spun out as IPI-based payment model through @CMSinnovates. Would cover 'most' Part B drugs - including CAR-T? Comments due 12/31. Will be crucial to pay attention to this. https://t.co/cd54PSsdP0

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

@ZooeyGoethe @DrMiguelPerales @sloan_kettering @peterbachmd @NEJM I don’t know the full legal framework for CED but it’s important to understand; this issue will come into play for any of the high cost new therapies that CMS wants to study via that mechanism if reimbursement is not addressed in tandem.

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

@DrMiguelPerales @sloan_kettering @peterbachmd @NEJM CED is a framework requiring a stakeholder to submit a study protocol for CMS approval & interested providers then enroll. Those are both opt-in activities that may be hard to justify given the current IPPS reimbursement rate. A coordinated payment/coverage solution is needed.

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

@FieldMuseum From my 7yo: how many vegetables do your parents make you eat?

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

What I have learned during my time @ASBMT: you want something done well and on time, you ask the Pharmacy SIG. They are amazing!

[ASTCT @ASTCT]

Introducing the Pharmacy SIG Online Journal Club! This club will provide education & in-depth review of literature related to the field of stem cell transplantation & cellular therapy. Register to attend the Oct.10th session today! https://t.co/GRZv9nloBD

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

Nothing about CAR-T payment or coding here, just a really nice article in the midst of a rough news cycle.
The Name of the Dog | NEJM https://t.co/XkqZP4Gzi7

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

Clinicians - please share with your financial teams: NUBC has finalized new specific rev codes for cell/gene therapies. Will facilitate greater data transparency and product use tracking for inpatient claims (scroll down to p. 2-4) https://t.co/rujp48LKIe Goes live 4/1/19

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

I never get tired of these videos!

[Sarah Cannon Docs @SarahCannonDocs]

Kevin registered for @BeTheMatch in 2011. Six years later, he had a match and happily donated his bone marrow. His donation became a life-saving transplant that would change 8 year old Sawyer Dyer’s life forever. Watch their full story here https://t.co/aZyof1WtW9

[Stephanie Farnia @SFarnia_]

@drkomanduri @AkshaySharmaMD @JCO_ASCO @djvanness Cost effectiveness may be beside the point when we can't operationalize this effectively w/in current payment systems and annual fiscal budgets, much less launch complicated alternatives. But that may be the brain strain after finishing our OPPS letter talking. Ask me tomorrow.