COA: Community Oncology Alliance

In part 2, Susan Sabo-Wagner, MSN, RN, OCN, NEA-BC, discusses how earlier referrals, AI, and less prior authorization can improve cancer outcomes.

Susan Sabo-Wagner, MSN, RN, OCN, NEA-BC, discusses how data builds payer trust, reduces prior authorization, and expands access in community oncology.

Sustainable models require asking what a result shows, what design produced it, and whether the design was built to measure value or just produce a number.

CAR T-cell therapy must be treated as a complete "vein-to-vein" episode, with community practices needing to take control of cases for a period of time.

The 2026 COA Payer Exchange and Innovation Summit began with a panel on AI and the ever-changing digital infrastructure in community oncology.

In part 2, Christine Pfaff, RPh, MBA, explores reimbursement gaps, new payment models, and payer partnerships needed to expand cellular therapy access.

In part 2, Rosa Novo discusses how employers can expand access to cancer screening and why they need a greater voice in shaping cancer care.

Amanda Green, MPH, discusses how employers can improve benefit awareness, care navigation, cancer prevention, and cost strategies.

Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, MPH, discusses how AI can streamline prior authorization and revenue cycle workflows in community oncology.

Advanced primary care, return-to-work support, and survivorship follow-up are key employer cancer strategies, said Karen van Caulil, PhD.

In part 2, David Johnson, MD, MPH, discusses how real-time data can sustain gold carding, ease prior authorization burden, and ensure accountability.

Karen van Caulil, PhD, explained why employers evaluating cancer care weigh timely access, quality, and equity alongside cost.

Stephen "Fred" Divers, MD, discusses how COA study data push back on payer bias and support community oncology's long-term sustainability.

David Johnson, MD, MPH, discusses how payer data can reduce low-value cancer care and steer patients to supportive services and cost-efficient sites.

Stephen “Fred” Divers, MD, discusses findings showing community oncology delivers outcomes comparable with academic care for breast cancer and NSCLC.

Christine Pfaff, RPh, MBA, discusses barriers to community cellular therapy delivery and the need for new business models and payer collaboration.

Karen van Caulil, PhD, on how employers can improve cancer care by investing in access, prevention, and support through treatment and survivorship.

Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, MPH, discusses AI adoption, administrative burden, and strategies to streamline prior authorization in oncology.

Bundled payment models offer employers and community oncology practices greater cost predictability while improving patient access, Baird said.

Jeff Hunnicutt emphasized vetting prior authorization vendors, scaling beyond single use cases, and AI's potential to streamline workflows.

Rosa Novo discusses tailoring cancer benefits to workforce needs, improving access and prevention, and return-to-work support.

Employers can advance patient-centered oncology care through proactive benefits, quality data, navigation, and tailored support, Amanda Green, MPH, said.

Lalan Wilfong, MD, discusses how model assumptions, cohort design, and risk adjustment shape performance and accountability in value-based oncology.

AI tools can ease administrative burden in community oncology, but practices face adoption, security, compliance, bias, and error concerns.

Alexa Simon Meara, MD, MS, discusses breaking down silos between academic and community oncology to improve immunotherapy care and irAE management.

Pharmacists need better support to manage emotional strain tied to patient suffering, treatment costs, and care decisions, says Karen Fancher, PharmD, BCOP.

Diana Verrilli, MS, of Navista breaks down the regulatory, payer, and cybersecurity pressures threatening community oncology practices—and maps a path forward.

Community pharmacists must build scalable workflows as bispecific antibodies move into earlier lines and outpatient settings, notes Brooke Peters, PharmD, BCOP, of AON.

Eileen Ehret, BS, Navista, focuses on aligning quality improvement with patient safety, engaging all stakeholders, and creating safe spaces to drive change in oncology.

AI drives community oncology transformation as practice leaders offer examples of what is working in community oncology to streamline calls, triage, and documentation.