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Genomic Testing and Targeted Therapies May be Underused in Community Practice, Study Shows

A review of patients with advanced non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) treated in a community practice setting demonstrated that not all patients recommended for receiving genomic testing are being appropriately tested for potential genetic drivers of disease.

What are the latest results from Medicare’s Oncology Care Model?

The Oncology Care Model (OCM) was launched in July 2016 to further delivery of higher quality, more coordinated cancer care at a lower cost to Medicaid. In return for delivering enhanced services such as care management and coordination, and generate sustainable cost savings, OCM participants, representing nearly one-third of community-based oncology practices across the US, would receive a payment of $160 per beneficiary per month for the duration of a qualifying 6-month chemotherapy period, plus the opportunity to earn a share of savings if they exceed a target price threshold.

Community Oncology Palliative Care Program as an OCM Quality Improvement Effort

A palliative care program launched at Michigan Health Professionals—a large community oncology practice participating in the Oncology Care Model (OCM)—provided more care at home and at a lower costs for participating patients.

At ASCO, Real-World Data Shows Potential to Improve Precision Oncology

At the American Society of Clinical Oncology’s annual meeting, researchers demonstrated the potential of real-world data to explore the efficacy of precision oncology drugs in rare populations, predict how long lung cancer patients will live, and identify gaps in genetic testing.

At ASCO, Real-World Data Shows Potential to Improve Precision Oncology

Specialty practices use predictive analytics to enhance value-based care

In 2018, nearly three years after the passage of MACRA, the first wave of fee-for-value payment became tangible for physician practices nationwide. That’s when participants in alternative payment models and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System began receiving detailed performance results and notice of the accompanying financial implications.

Is Your Organization Leaving Money on the Table?

Across the U.S., unpaid emergency transport bills are costing counties millions of dollars each year. For example, in 2017, Commissioners in Palm Beach County, Florida, approved writing off $11.8 million in “uncollectable emergency transport patient accounts.” Similarly, the city of Berkeley, California, reported a five-year average of uncollected ambulance fees amounting to $2.6 million per year.

Despite Initial Challenges, Oncology Practices See Benefit Moving to Oncology Care Model

Oncology practices that adopt the Oncology Care Model (OCM) developed by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) face a tough road. The transformation requires changes in infrastructure encompassing administrative and care management service lines, as well as a change in philosophical outlook for clinicians and physician leadership; translational services for clinical interpretation; and internal reporting that is both costly and complex.

ACCC Meeting Highlights Innovations in Community Cancer Care Delivery

“OCM participants are closing the gap between actual and target costs per episode” of chemotherapy, said Charles Saunders, MD, CEO of Integra Connect, a health care technology company focused on helping specialty physicians make the transition to value-based care.

OCM Data Analysis, Predictive Analytics, and Future Value-Based Payment Modeling

At the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) Annual Meeting and Cancer Center Business Summit (March 20-22, 2019; Washington, DC), Journal of Clinical Pathways sat down with Charles Saunders, MD, chief executive officer, Integra Connect, and Lucio N Gordan, MD, managing physician and president, Florida Cancer Specialists, to preview their session on current Oncology Care Model (OCM) performance data and the future of value-based payment modeling post-OCM.