August Newsletter: The 2021 Member Update | Pushing Back Against Mandatory Models
Read the Summer 2021 Member Update
A Recap of the First Half of 2021
Hospital price transparency. Mandatory payment models. Pharmacy benefit managers. COA had a lot to say on these topics and more in the first half of 2021. If you missed any of the work COA did on behalf of community oncology, check out the 2021 Member Update to catch up. Highlights include:
- Introducing the Timely Access to Cancer Treatment Act to Congress.
- Opposing mandatory CMMI models and next steps in payment reform.
- The future of the OCM and OCF.
- The Time to Screen awareness campaign.
From legislative work to public service, COA made sure your voice was heard and that community oncology continues to have a seat at the table. As the second half of 2021 rolls on, make sure you’re informed by reading and sharing the Member Update.
COA Issues Letter Opposing RO Model and Medicare Payment Cuts
Mandatory Model and Cuts Hurt Ability to Provide Care
Earlier this month, COA submitted preliminary comments to several Federal health agencies expressing strong concern and opposition to the scheduled implementation of the mandatory Radiation Oncology (RO) Model and Medicare payment cuts to oncology services, diagnostic imaging, and radiation therapy.
“We cannot comprehend the thought process behind the government’s decision to continue with implementation of the RO Model and Medicare payment cuts during the resurging COVID pandemic,” said Ted Okon, MBA, executive director of COA. “The health and safety of providers and their patients should be the top priority during this time. Continuing to push damaging payment changes and faulty reform models demonstrates that HHS, CMS, and CMMI are more concerned with the appearance of progress than actual, effective change.”
COA Joins Two Dozen Other Organizations to Push for National Paid Family and Medical Leave Program
Letter Calls for Inclusion in Upcoming Infrastructure Package
COA has signed a letter alongside two dozen other organizations asking Congressional leadership and the Biden administration to include a national paid family and medical leave program as part of the $3.5T infrastructure package under consideration by Congress.
A wide range of organizations, from mental health to multiple sclerosis nonprofits, signed the letter. Each signer believes that serious illness should not burden an individual financially. A paid leave program would help patients recover quicker without the fear of lost income.
A Year of Online Advocacy: The CPAN Advocacy Chat
Don’t Miss the September Advocacy Chat
The COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) Advocacy Chat series has been a huge success, with over 1,100 registrants to date and a year of valued guests under our belt. As the chats continue, keep your eyes open for exciting new guests and information on other COA events.
On September 8, COA’s Director of Communications Nicolas Ferreyros will talk about the ways you can get involved with the Time to Screen campaign. Time to Screen is an awareness and assistance campaign to help individuals find cancer screening locations near them. Nick will discuss ways you can spread the word, how you can help others, and what tools Time to Screen has available for advocates.
Should You Attend the COA Payer Exchange Summit?
Creating Oncology Payment Reform in Real Time
The Payer Exchange Summit is an invitation-only gathering of oncology stakeholders who come together to share their experiences in efforts to advance oncology payment reform, increase value, and improve the patient experience in the United States’ cancer care system.
For nearly a decade, the Payer Exchange Summit series has brought together community oncology practices, local and national health insurers, employers and employer coalitions, and other stakeholders, to share ideas that will make oncology payment reform a reality. The next Payer Summit is scheduled for October 25-26, 2021 with an in-person gathering outside of Washington, D.C. and virtual simulcast. (Please note that we will be taking all necessary precautions to provide a safe in-person environment.)
Are you a practice or payer working on oncology payment reform? Interested in joining us for this invitation-only event? Learn more and find out who qualifies at the link below!
Policy Updates & Perspectives
Community Oncology News of Note
CMS’ Proposed 22% Cut to Radiation Oncology Is ‘Tone Deaf’
Proposals for a new mandatory payment model for radiation oncology have been met with strong pushback from the medical community. Ted Okon, COA’s executive director, called the model “ill-timed” and “tone deaf.”
Hospitals and Insurers Didn’t Want You to See These Prices. Here’s Why.
In late 2020, the Trump administration passed a rule requiring hospitals to disclose the prices they negotiate with private insurers. A team of New York Times reporters has analyzed the data and found hospitals charging wildly different amounts for the same services, wholly dependent upon which insurer the patient used. In some cases, it was cheaper to pay for the service out-of-pocket than use insurance.
Location, Location, Location: Spending Differences for Physician-Administered Outpatient Medications by Site of Treatment
An increasing number of specialty drugs must be delivered intravenously, requiring the aid of a physician. Although physician offices are usually less expensive than hospital outpatient departments, the current care trend sees more patients visiting hospitals instead physician offices. This EBRI issue brief analyzes the price differentials between care settings and offers solutions to decrease the cost of care for patients.
August Newsletter: The 2021 Member Update | Pushing Back Against Mandatory Models
Read the Summer 2021 Member Update
A Recap of the First Half of 2021
Hospital price transparency. Mandatory payment models. Pharmacy benefit managers. COA had a lot to say on these topics and more in the first half of 2021. If you missed any of the work COA did on behalf of community oncology, check out the 2021 Member Update to catch up. Highlights include:
- Introducing the Timely Access to Cancer Treatment Act to Congress.
- Opposing mandatory CMMI models and next steps in payment reform.
- The future of the OCM and OCF.
- The Time to Screen awareness campaign.
From legislative work to public service, COA made sure your voice was heard and that community oncology continues to have a seat at the table. As the second half of 2021 rolls on, make sure you’re informed by reading and sharing the Member Update.
COA Issues Letter Opposing RO Model and Medicare Payment Cuts
Mandatory Model and Cuts Hurt Ability to Provide Care
Earlier this month, COA submitted preliminary comments to several Federal health agencies expressing strong concern and opposition to the scheduled implementation of the mandatory Radiation Oncology (RO) Model and Medicare payment cuts to oncology services, diagnostic imaging, and radiation therapy.
“We cannot comprehend the thought process behind the government’s decision to continue with implementation of the RO Model and Medicare payment cuts during the resurging COVID pandemic,” said Ted Okon, MBA, executive director of COA. “The health and safety of providers and their patients should be the top priority during this time. Continuing to push damaging payment changes and faulty reform models demonstrates that HHS, CMS, and CMMI are more concerned with the appearance of progress than actual, effective change.”
COA Joins Two Dozen Other Organizations to Push for National Paid Family and Medical Leave Program
Letter Calls for Inclusion in Upcoming Infrastructure Package
COA has signed a letter alongside two dozen other organizations asking Congressional leadership and the Biden administration to include a national paid family and medical leave program as part of the $3.5T infrastructure package under consideration by Congress.
A wide range of organizations, from mental health to multiple sclerosis nonprofits, signed the letter. Each signer believes that serious illness should not burden an individual financially. A paid leave program would help patients recover quicker without the fear of lost income.
A Year of Online Advocacy: The CPAN Advocacy Chat
Don’t Miss the September Advocacy Chat
The COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) Advocacy Chat series has been a huge success, with over 1,100 registrants to date and a year of valued guests under our belt. As the chats continue, keep your eyes open for exciting new guests and information on other COA events.
On September 8, COA’s Director of Communications Nicolas Ferreyros will talk about the ways you can get involved with the Time to Screen campaign. Time to Screen is an awareness and assistance campaign to help individuals find cancer screening locations near them. Nick will discuss ways you can spread the word, how you can help others, and what tools Time to Screen has available for advocates.
Should You Attend the COA Payer Exchange Summit?
Creating Oncology Payment Reform in Real Time
The Payer Exchange Summit is an invitation-only gathering of oncology stakeholders who come together to share their experiences in efforts to advance oncology payment reform, increase value, and improve the patient experience in the United States’ cancer care system.
For nearly a decade, the Payer Exchange Summit series has brought together community oncology practices, local and national health insurers, employers and employer coalitions, and other stakeholders, to share ideas that will make oncology payment reform a reality. The next Payer Summit is scheduled for October 25-26, 2021 with an in-person gathering outside of Washington, D.C. and virtual simulcast. (Please note that we will be taking all necessary precautions to provide a safe in-person environment.)
Are you a practice or payer working on oncology payment reform? Interested in joining us for this invitation-only event? Learn more and find out who qualifies at the link below!
Policy Updates & Perspectives
Community Oncology News of Note
CMS’ Proposed 22% Cut to Radiation Oncology Is ‘Tone Deaf’
Proposals for a new mandatory payment model for radiation oncology have been met with strong pushback from the medical community. Ted Okon, COA’s executive director, called the model “ill-timed” and “tone deaf.”
Hospitals and Insurers Didn’t Want You to See These Prices. Here’s Why.
In late 2020, the Trump administration passed a rule requiring hospitals to disclose the prices they negotiate with private insurers. A team of New York Times reporters has analyzed the data and found hospitals charging wildly different amounts for the same services, wholly dependent upon which insurer the patient used. In some cases, it was cheaper to pay for the service out-of-pocket than use insurance.
Location, Location, Location: Spending Differences for Physician-Administered Outpatient Medications by Site of Treatment
An increasing number of specialty drugs must be delivered intravenously, requiring the aid of a physician. Although physician offices are usually less expensive than hospital outpatient departments, the current care trend sees more patients visiting hospitals instead physician offices. This EBRI issue brief analyzes the price differentials between care settings and offers solutions to decrease the cost of care for patients.
