Community Oncology Alliance (COA)

Community oncology practices are witnessing a new dynamic in which more Medicare-eligible patients are still covered by commercial insurance, according to speakers at the Community Oncology Alliance Payer Exchange Summit, held October 23-24, 2023.

Miriam J. Atkins, MD, FACP, president of the Community Oncology Alliance, discusses the challenges facing oncology today, such as physician and nurse recruitment and minority clinical trial enrollment.

At the 2023 COA Payer Exchange Summit being held October 23-24 in Reston, Virginia, Lalan Wilfong, MD, US Oncology Network, emphasizes the importance of oncology care equity, ensuring continuity of care, and enhancing care coordination.

The effects of flat or reduced reimbursements alongside inflation have been quantified in a report by Avalere Health, prepared for the Community Oncology Alliance (COA.)

The number one ingredient that an oncology-based alternative payment model needs to succeed is collaboration, explained Nicolas Ferreyros, managing director of policy, advocacy, and communications, Community Oncology Alliance (COA).

The endorsements follow the group's lawsuit earlier this year to overturn CMS' interpretation of the Stark Law.

We are in the midst of a transformative time in oncology that could also be a little scary if you are not prepared, said Nicolas Ferreyros, managing director of policy, advocacy, and communications, Community Oncology Alliance.

Coverage from the June 8, 2023, Institute for Value-Based Medicine session in Austin, Texas, held in partnership with Texas Oncology.

Jeff Patton, MD, CEO of OneOncology, joins Emeline Aviki, MD, MBA, and Stephen Schleicher, MD, MBA, for episode 3 of "Oncology Onward: Conversations With Innovators and Changemakers in Cancer Care."

Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, joins hosts Emeline Aviki, MD, MBA, and Stephen Schleicher, MD, MBA, for episode 2 of our newest podcast, "Oncology Onward: Conversations With Innovators and Changemakers in Cancer Care."

While the final number of EOM practices will be fewer than the numbers in the OCM, the presence of Tennessee Oncology, Texas Oncology, and Northwest Medical Specialties will ensure participation of key leaders who succeeded in the OCM and have weighed in on what's needed in its replacement.

The Enhancing Oncology Model, announced in July 2022 during the final days of its predecessor, the Oncology Care Model (OCM), has a similar framework as the early alternative payment model for oncology in Medicare, but there are key differences in reimbursement and especially in practices’ requirements to take on risk.

Coverage from the Greater Philadelphia Business Coalition on Health (GPBCH) daylong Oncology Management Summit, held April 4, 2023.

An expert panel at the recent meeting of the Quality Cancer Care Alliance discussed the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM), which is set to begin on July 1, 2023.

Judy Alberto, MHA, RPh, BCOP, director of clinical initiatives at the Community Oncology Alliance, discusses the importance of making sure oncology practices are educated about their value-based enterprise exception when mailing patients their cancer medications.

Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, executive vice president at Texas Oncology, explains the small potential risk of breast cancer associated with hormonal birth control.

Shiela Plasencia, director of practice support at the Community Oncology Alliance, discusses the benefits of collecting social determinants of health data for both the patient and provider.

Oncologists express concerns about the replacement for the Oncology Care Model; the EOM is set to start July 1, 2023.

Amy Valley, vice president for clinical strategy and technology solutions at Cardinal Health, weighs both the benefits and potential risks of physicians using artificial intelligence technology in their oncology practices.

Kathy Oubre, MS, CEO of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, discusses the use of biosimilars and how pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) as well as payers have challenged the biosimilar market.

Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, executive vice president at Texas Oncology, discusses her recent testimony to the US Senate on a case in which prior authorization caused a 6-week wait for a consult.

Nicolas Ferreyros, managing director at Community Oncology Alliance (COA), discusses the recent Senate commerce hearing on pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), which brought bipartisan attention and energy towards addressing the concerns related to PBMs in Washington.

Mike Lattanzi, MD, genitourinary medical oncologist, Texas Oncology, discusses the importance of keeping pace with precision oncology options as rates for prostate cancer increase.

Biomarker testing is a key tool in lung cancer treatment, and Kentucky recently passed a law requiring payers to cover biomarker tests with the intention to address high rates of lung cancer in the state.

Kathy Oubre, MS, CEO of Pontchartrain Cancer Center, discusses patient advocacy and legislative issues that will continue to define the future of community oncology.

Davey B. Daniel, MD, chief medical officer at OneOncology, shares his insights on health equity practices, as well as the importance of developing clinical models within community oncology.

Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, executive vice president at Texas Oncology, discusses financial drivers affecting community oncology as well as new advances within cancer care that allow it to be treated as a chronic disease.

A panel at the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) 2023 Community Oncology Conference highlights the evolution of taking on risk, developing stratification models, and collaborating to learn from fellow providers.