Putting the Enhancing Oncology Model Into Practice

Experts from US Oncology, Tennessee Oncology, AON, and COA dig into the details of implementing the Enhancing Oncology Model, set to take effect July 1, 2023.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) was a strong collaborator during the Oncology Care Mode (OCM), but the timing of the Enhancing Oncology Model came as a surprise.

In a sign that value-based care is here to stay, some practices that did not participate in the Oncology Care Model (OCM) have applied for the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM).

Unlike the Oncology Care Model, the Enhancing Oncology Model will focus on 7 common cancer types, which experts say offers advantages and disadvantages for practices.

Cutting the amount of Monthly Enhanced Oncology Services payments and limiting qualifying tumor types will curtail revenue to practices. But after the financial results in the Oncology Care Model, that's by design.

Addressing cancer patients' lack of housing or food insecurity affects care outcomes, but how can the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation build this into a reward structure?

Panelists see the 5-year period of the Enhancing Oncology Model as reasonable; they would like see some progress toward permanent value-based payment structures.

As terms for Monthly Enhanced Oncology Services (MEOS) payments are set to change under the EOM, panelists worry that the barriers to entry to value-based care will be too high for practices that did not participate in the OCM.

Asking for help to prepare for the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) and 2-sided risk is advised, say panelists experienced with the Oncology Care Model (OCM).

The Enhancing Oncology Model allows pooling of groups of practices for quality measurement, which was not permitted under the OCM.

Constructive advice on improving the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) from our expert panel.