Community Oncology Alliance

“Quality” and “value” have been used as buzzwords for decades in cancer care and there remains a lack of alignment and consensus on what that truly means. That's why COA is proud to release our Quality and Value Standards. The Standards serve as a foundation for oncology practices who want to ensure the provision of high-quality care, participate in certification programs, and discuss & demonstrate what quality care is with patients, employers, and other payers. Learn more about COA’s Quality and Value Standards for cancer care: https://bit.ly/4dUhPdr #CancerCare #CommunityOncology

COA is dedicated to advocating for and protecting independent community oncology. COA works on behalf of its members and supporters to challenge policies that could hurt cancer care, including drug shortages, PBMs, 340B, and other issues. Just one example from our mid-year report: COA worked around the clock to place pressure on the White House, CMS, and UnitedHealthcare to right the ship during a widespread healthcare hack that had a severe and lasting impact on community oncology practices and their patients.   Read more about how COA is supporting patients with cancer: https://bit.ly/4dVsIeG #CancerCare #CommunityOncology

Attention oncology fellows! The COA Fellows Initiative is always assessing networking opportunities, so you don’t have to. Networking and relationship building are key benefits to members of the Fellows Initiative as they look for the next step in their career. If you are an oncology Fellow interested in exploring the independent community oncology setting, we invite you to join the COA Fellows Initiative for free access to valuable tools.   Interested in networking? We are currently offering Dallas-based fellows and others across the country opportunities to attend events this Fall that will offer insights, networking opportunities, and a deeper understanding of the vital role community oncology plays in patient care.   Sign up for MyCOA to learn more about these exclusive opportunities: https://lnkd.in/ehU9EJ2s #Oncology #Fellows

When will pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) stop taking advantage of patients with cancer? PBMs hurt patients and can cause real-life health outcomes. A man with metastatic colorectal cancer was prescribed oral medication to stop the further spread of cancer. Due to the severe side effects associated with the medication and the patient’s physical condition, the doctor started him off at a reduced dosage of a new medicine. The community oncology clinic contacted a PBM-mandated pharmacy to navigate the nonstandard dosage. What happened next? Petty lies for petty gain. The PBM refused to provide a partial dosage, claiming they were prohibited by a manufacturing contract. After contacting the manufacturer, the pharmacist learned that the manufacturer not only authorized the PBM to dispense partial dosage but also allowed the return of unused drugs for reimbursement. The PBM was caught in a lie. Even when confronted with the facts, they refused to change, forcing the oncologist to increase the dosage (and have the patient throw away half) or deny the patient the life-saving medication. Read more examples about the horrors of PBMs: https://bit.ly/4cBgNSu #PBMs

A new analysis shows that physicians could lose at least $25 billion in add-on payments across both Medicare and the commercial market through the end of 2032 for the first 10 Part B drugs that may be negotiated under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). We are urging Congress to stop these dramatic cuts by passing a technical fix that removes providers from the middle of negotiations between the government and pharmaceutical manufacturers. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gYRQbUf9 #Medicare #PartB #IRA #Oncology

REGISTER: Only two days until a CPAN Advocacy Chat about rural cancer care with Harsha V. of Cancer Center of Middle Georgia, LLC and Rose Gerber, MS. Join the conversation about the challenges and rewards of treating patients with cancer in rural areas this Wednesday at 12 p.m. ET. Dr. Vyas and Rose will cover everything from managing partnerships with other care providers to attracting physicians and clinical trials in rural areas. Register: https://bit.ly/47ip2BX #CancerCare #CommunityOncology

Highlighting Dayton Physicians Network (DPN), a COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) chapter that delivers patient-centered care in Southwest Ohio. CPAN’s support helps practices like DPN blend connection, advocacy, and quality care to provide the care and treatment patients need, want, and deserve. CPAN provides advocates with resources and tools to gain a deep understanding of policies that hurt independent community oncology patients and practices. DPN staff have been able to advocate on Capitol Hill, host CPAN practice-education events, and more. Learn more and how to get involved with CPAN: https://bit.ly/4dUjKi4 #CancerCare

Today, we kicked off our 15th annual Payer Exchange Summit on Oncology Payment Reform. This year’s agenda will cover many hot-button topics in cancer care, including employer strategies for managing pharmacy benefit manager relationships, the challenges of value-based insurance design, navigating high-cost cell therapies, and the benefits of direct contracting #PES2024 #CommunityOncology #CancerPolicy #CancerCare #PBMs https://lnkd.in/gMxeMUtH

COA has submitted responses to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services regarding the proposed 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and Hospital Outpatient Prospective Payment System rules. The rules continue to cut reimbursement for independent community oncology practices and increase hospital reimbursement, a trend that directly fuels practice closures, consolidation, and higher prices for patients.    COA will continue to advocate for policies that support independent community oncology and work with CMS to update these policies before they are finalized.    #CommunityOncology #CMS https://lnkd.in/eyzk2QkQ

Patients, physicians, and pharmacy team members deal with pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs)—middlemen who unnecessarily delay or deny medication—daily. Why should PBMs control if patients with cancer get the treatment their care teams prescribe? Soon after giving birth, a young mother was diagnosed with breast cancer and underwent radiation, chemotherapy, and a full mastectomy. A checkup revealed that the cancer had spread throughout her body and the doctor immediately prescribed medication delivered to her home. What happened next? The PBM-mandated pharmacy delayed medication for over two months, because of an algorithm that overrode her doctor’s prescribed dosage. Despite the doctor’s repeated efforts to explain the treatment plan, the PBM rejected the request. In an unprecedented act of generosity,  the patient’s nurses and doctor personally footed the bill. Three months after the initial request, the PBM approved partial chemotherapy treatment. It shouldn’t come to the generosity of a care team to get a new mom the treatment she needed. Read how PBMs are hurting patients: https://bit.ly/4fZcJOz #PBM