Michael Kolodziej Says Provider-Payer Connections Key in Quality, Cost-Effective Cancer Care

In order to deliver quality and cost-effective cancer care, Michael Kolodziej, MD, Aetna's national medical director for oncology strategies, says that providers need to get better connected with payers.

Dr Kolodziej says the real challenge for providers is that they operate in a “cocoon,” meaning they must often manage different expectations in approaching problems. With connection, providers can establish a smoother stream of communication with payers.

“It’s fair to say that pretty much all payers are thinking about the same kind of things, and they’re all struggling with ways to connect with the practices,” said Dr Kolodziej. Payers want to “understand how they do things, what kind of information they need, and what’s expected of them.”

Level-setting and benchmarking of expectations will develop as providers and payers become better connected.