ReimbursementCommittee

“Reimbursement for stem cell transplants is very complicated because it includes payment to both facilities and health care providers,” Dr. Gajewski said. “While there are a various groups that have a stake in reimbursement, ASBMT probably is the only one that encompasses the interests of patients, transplant facilities and physicians.

“Policies on reimbursement have far-reaching consequences, including patient access to care and the economic viability of transplant facilities, especially in these times of expanding regulation and staff shortages. Our committee’s challenge will be to help the Society prioritize and focus on issues that most benefit patients and the growth of BMT services to treat more illnesses,” he said.


		Charter Approved for New Committee on Reimbursement ASBMT has a new Committee on Reimbursement that consolidates several previous committees. The new panel has been organized to advise the Society’s leaders and members on issues and policies related to patient care reimbursement and help implement policies on reimbursement as enacted by the Board of Directors, according to Helen Heslop, ASBMT president. The new committee is chaired Dr. James Gajewski, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland. As its meeting this past month, the ASBMT Executive Committee approved a charter for the new committee that authorizes it to: · Monitor developments and trends in cost-reimbursement for patient care services by both private and public payers. · Recommend ASBMT priorities and activities that can have an impact on reimbursement and patient access to cellular therapy and blood and marrow transplantation. · Propose ways to educate government and private payers, purchasers of health plans, patients and their families, as well as ASBMT members, about reimbursement issues and potential solutions to problems. · Identify other parties that may be effective allies in furthering ASBMT goals with respect to patient care reimbursement. · Implement activities and programs that address reimbursement issues as directed by the Board of Directors and its Executive Committee. “Reimbursement for stem cell transplants is very complicated because it includes payment to both facilities and health care providers,” Dr. Gajewski said. “While there are a various groups that have a stake in reimbursement, ASBMT probably is the only one that encompasses the interests of patients, transplant facilities and physicians. “Policies on reimbursement have far-reaching consequences, including patient access to care and the economic viability of transplant facilities, especially in these times of expanding regulation and staff shortages. Our committee’s challenge will be to help the Society prioritize and focus on issues that most benefit patients and the growth of BMT services to treat more illnesses,” he said. Other members of the new committee are: · Peggy Appel, Northwest Marrow Transplant Program, Portland · Michael Boo, National Marrow Donor Program, Minneapolis · Myrlena Lee, Center for Cell and Gene Therapy, Houston · C. Fred LeMaistre, Texas Transplant Institute, San Antonio · Michael Lill, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles · Richard Maziarz, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland · Philip McCarthy, Roswell Park Cancer Institute, Buffalo · John McMannis, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston · Kenneth Meehan, Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center, Lebanon, N.H. · Michael Rabin, City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, Calif. · George Selby, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City