From the Editor:
Kristen Edsall, Payer Relations Manager, NMDP/Be The Match

2017 is off to a fast start for the health care industry with many unknowns and changes ahead. In 2017 we will continue to support transplant case managers through our educational programming, conference talks and exhibits. Look for us at CCMC, CMSA and the Optum conferences throughout the year. Other priorities this year include addressing HCT and fertility and working with Medicare to expand coverage and reimbursement for HCT.

This will be my last From the Editor column because I will be leaving NMDP/Be The Match. It has been a pleasure to write this column. I hope it has enhanced your knowledge and practice. The Payer Policy team will continue to provide this content/enewsletter quarterly.

In this issue:

We have extended our services to patients receiving a transplant from a relative. Our new Related Donor Services can help transplant centers overcome related donor travel, logistical and financial barriers that might delay, prevent, or prompt the use of a less optimal donor source for the transplant.

Today, when a patient is in need of HCT from a related donor, the patient’s transplant center plans for the related donor’s cell donation to occur at their center. Usually this is not a problem. However, there are times when the related donor is unable to travel to the transplant center for various reasons: unable to take time away from work, unable to afford the cost of travel and lodging, or unable to obtain an international travel visa for entry to the U.S.

In these cases the transplant center may now request Related Donor Services from NMDP/Be The Match. Leveraging our existing Network, we can facilitate the donor’s evaluation and cell collection at a location convenient to the donor. If you have questions about this service, please contact Alicia Silver alicia.silver@nmdp.org.

Update on Medicare Clinical Trials for HCT

As we reported in the last edition, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has expanded coverage for allogeneic transplantation for sickle cell disease (SCD), multiple myeloma, and myelofibrosis for patients enrolled in CMS-approved clinical trials as part of its Coverage with Evidence Determination (CED) mechanism.

To help patients more easily access this coverage, CIBMTR^® (Center for International Blood and Marrow Transplant Research^®), our research program, is facilitating national clinical studies for each of these indications. Trials for SCD and myelofibrosis have already been approved by CMS and a trial for multiple myeloma is currently under development. In addition, a trial for Myelodysplastic Syndromes (MDS) has been open since 2010.

You can stay up to date on study development for all three diseases by visiting the CIBMTR website.

Battiwalla M, et al. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant This report outlines the recommendations issued by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) Late Effects Consensus Conference to plan the next phase of HCT research “to ensure that no survivor is left behind.” Read More.

Three parents share their experiences of caring for a child during transplant to help others find ideas for their own families. Read their stories.

Stop by our booth #209 at the CCMC New World Symposium, January 26-28, 2017 at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center.

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If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact the Payer Policy Team at payerpolicy@nmdp.org.

All of our resources are available on our website: Payer.BeTheMatchClinical.org