Oncology

Darius Lakdawalla, PhD, Director of Research, Leonard D. Schaeffer Center for Health Policy and Economics, University of Southern California, thinks that payers follow the lead of providers in oncology management.

The idea behind an integrated delivery network (IDN)-a concept that was developed in the 1980s and widely implemented in the 1990s-is that a network of facilities and providers can work together to offer a continuum of care in a particular geographic area. Although the concept was one that initially drew praise, the implementation of this type of system did not gain momentum from the onset. However, as time has elapsed, advancements have made this model worth revisiting.

"Oncology is a very emotional area," says Jan Berger, MD, MJ, President & CEO, Health Intelligence Partners, Editor-in-Chief, The American Journal of Pharmacy Benefits.

In this video, Robert Bo Gamble, Director, Strategic Practice Initiatives, Community Oncology Alliance, Washington, DC, says that it is critical for payers and providers to come together in oncology management.

Richard T. Hoppe, MD, Professor of Radiation Oncology - Radiation Therapy, Stanford School of Medicine, discussed the current role and utility of radiation therapy in patients with early stage Hodgkins Lymphoma when compared to conventional chemotherapy.

Although clinical trial data have quantified patient survival gains associated with tyrosine kinase inhibitors in chronic myeloid leukemia, the overall value of these benefits is unknown.

On Friday, November 16, The American Journal of Managed Care hosted its first annual live meeting, "Translating Evidence-Based Research into Value-Based Decisions in Oncology." The conference, which brought together stakeholders from all sides of the managed care industry, provided an arena for healthcare professionals to discuss new, innovative payment models being utilized by both payers and providers.

Evaluation of real-world implementation of HER2 testing showed that uptake was high (>90%) and trastuzumab treatment was targeted to patients with positive HER2 status.

On Friday, November 16, The American Journal of Managed Care hosted its first annual live meeting, "Translating Evidence-Based Research into Value-Based Decisions in Oncology." The conference, which brought together stakeholders from all sides of the managed care industry, provided an arena for healthcare professionals to discuss new, innovative payment models being utilized by both payers and providers.