ANCO serves as an advocate and liaison before regional and national organizations (i.e., government, private, and corporate) and plays an active role in the reimbursement environment on behalf of oncologists, nurses, practice managers, and people living with cancer. The Board deliberates on and recommends policies, and is represented and communicates these policies at a variety of national and state forums, including ACCC meetings, ASCO's Clinical Practice Committee meetings, California Medical Association (CMA) meetings, and the California legislature and regulatory bodies. It also represents the interests of its member before private payers.

ANCO, as a state/regional affiliate of the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) works with ASCO before Congress and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on cancer issues.

For latest and best information on the Medicare Modernization Act (MMA), visit ASCO's MMA webpage or ANCO's MMA webpage.

ASCO also has a summary local carrier policies and coverage guidelines.

Finally, ASCO has developed a comprehensive list of practice guidelines that may be used with local Medicare, Medicaid, and private carriers.

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ANCO (and MOASC) is represented in Sacramento by its Sacramento-based advocacy firm, Noteware Government Relations (NGR). Also in cooperation with MOASC, ANCO has launched a political action committee.

ANCO cooperates with the California Medical Association (CMA) sharing the oncology specialty delegation with the Medical Oncology Association of Southern California (MOASC). Click here to review CMA's legislative priorities.

National Heritage Insurance Corporation (NHIC/Medicare) is the Part B Carrier for Medicare in California. Their provider, oncology specialty, and Medicare Resource pages are key resources for oncologists in California.

The Department of Health Services (DHS) administers the Medicaid program in California, known as DHS/MediCal.

Physician office laboratories (POLs) established on or after January 1^st, 1996, must be either licensed by or registered with the California Department of Health Services, subjecting them to fees and regulations beyond those currently imposed under the Federal Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) program. Laboratories that perform only “waived” tests (classified by FDA or CDC to be so simple that there is little risk of error) and labs that perform only “provider-performed microscopy” tests will be exempt from the state licensure requirements, but will have to register with the state. Download DHS’s memorandum entitled Clinical Laboratories Oversight Program (page 1 and page 2) and FAQs. Visit www.dhs.ca.gov/ps/ls/lfsb/default.htm for additional information.

Drug coverage policies and guidelines are summarized in the California Oncology Consortium's Drug Grid. ANCO members in need of the username/password for the Drug Grid are encouraged to contact the ANCO office.

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ANCO and MOASC have established the California Oncology Political Action Committee (or CalCancerPAC). Fundraising efforts were launched in late 2005 and will support candidates in California that support oncology.

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