Value-Based Care

With the advances in cancer care, focus has mostly been on lamenting the high cost of these innovations instead of making patients and populations healthier, said A. Mark Fendrick, MD, director of the Center for Value-Based Insurance Design at the University of Michigan.

As the pharmacist’s role has evolved in the last decade, they’ve become an important part of reducing costs and better managing patients, explained Scott Soefje, PharmD, MBA, BCOP, FCCP, FHOPA, assistant professor, Mayo Clinic College of Medicines and Science.

Steve Pickette, PharmD, BCPS, explains that artificial intelligence (AI)–driven formulary analysis can significantly enhance the efficiency and accuracy of drug selection processes by rapidly compiling and analyzing evidence.

Advances in technology have made active surveillance in men with prostate cancer possible and prevented treatment for men who don’t need it, said Matthew Nielsen, MD, FACS, chair, Department of Urology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

Patients on specialty medications may face many barriers that prevent them from getting on or staying on therapy, but a specialty pharmacy integrated into a health system can help address these issues, explained Ryan Nix, PharmD, MMHC, of Vanderbilt Specialty Pharmacy.

Alex Jahangir, MD, MMHC, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center, discusses innovative technologies to combat burnout and improve specialty care.

Katherine Baker, MD, MMHC, of Tennessee Oncology, highlights the need for physician-payer collaboration to tackle challenges and drive innovation in specialty care.

Fahad Tahir, MAS, MBA, FACHE, of Ascension St Thomas, discusses health system innovation and entrepreneurship, highlighting specialty care advancements and leadership strategies for fostering innovation.

The $2.49 billion cash purchase will give McKesson about 70% ownership of Community Oncology Revitalization Enterprise Ventures, LLC (Core Ventures).

Samyukta Mullangi, MD, MBA, of Tennessee Oncology and Thyme Care, discusses the future of specialty value-based care and how attendees can apply what they learned at the Institute for Value-Based Medicine event on August 22.

National data sets and registries are able to provide outcomes data and process measures that testify to quality of care being delivered, said Matthew Nielsen, MD, FACS, chair, Department of Urology, University of North Carolina School of Medicine.

The authors advocate for a consideration of 2 distinct phases of obesity management (ie, active weight loss and maintenance of weight loss) to allow substantially more people access to antiobesity medications.

The authors advocate for a strategy that reallocates the substantial workforce effort and financial resources currently devoted to low-value care to enhance access and affordability of high-value services.

Low-value service utilization is common among all older adults, and utilization of some high-value services decreases after the onset of cognitive decline.

Michael A. Choti, MD, MBA, Banner MD Anderson, cochaired the second annual Advancing Value-Based Oncology Care meeting and shared insights into the goals of this year's event and value-based medicine as a whole.

The findings can help reduce barriers that delay the onset of recommended palliative care in advanced cancer.

Ronesh Sinha, MD, attributes the rising rates of heart disease to sedentary lifestyles, stress, and health inequities, while advocating for digital health solutions to improve preventive care.

A new program from Optum Rx would offer greater predictability by using a guarantee-based pricing model.

Kimberly Westrich, MA, chief strategy officer of the National Pharmaceutical Council, reflects on the most valuable learnings from the 2024 meeting of ISPOR—The Professional Society for Health Economics and Outcomes Research, including lively discussions of the Inflation Reduction Act and workshops on value assessment.

In 2024, the Asembia Specialty Pharmacy Summit celebrated 20 years and speakers highlighted the conversations around improving access and affordability taking place at the meeting.

Leaders at 49 accountable care organizations (ACOs) shared their perspectives on the Medicare Shared Savings Program, as well as a range of strategies for success and ongoing challenges.

While the novel payment models for expensive cell and gene therapies have been effective, they need to continue evolving, said Joe DePinto, MBA, of McKesson.

Optum Life Sciences and Takeda Pharmaceuticals are partnering on an innovative virtual care pilot program for inflammatory bowel disease meant to both continue the mission of the current value-based health care landscape and raise the bar for personalized care delivery optimization.

The USPSTF lowered the recommended starting age for mammograms from 50 to 40 years, citing moderate benefits for early detection in this age group. Disparities persist, especially for Black women, highlighting the need for improved access to health care and social support.

Asembia AXS24, which has record registration this year, will take place in Las Vegas, Nevada, April 28-May 2, at the Wynn & Encore Las Vegas.