June Newsletter: Virtual Advocacy Summit, Patient Assistance Fund
COA & CPAN Hosting Virtual Advocacy Summit July 15th
Patients and Advocates Learn from Policy Experts
On July 15, COA and the Community Oncology Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) will host the Virtual Community Oncology Advocacy Summit: Cancer Care in a COVID-19 World.
Attendees will learn how to be better advocates after hearing from those on the front lines of policymaking and research. Patients, survivors, advocates, practicing health care professionals, and caregivers can join us for free. Be sure to register today!
White or Brown Bagging & Home Infusion: Emerging Issue Alert
Insurers Pushing Dangerous Practices Amid Pandemic
In recent months, COA has been following a dangerous effort by insurers to force more white or brown bagging of treatments, as well as a push by some for home infusion of cancer drugs. Using the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic as an excuse, these policies are emerging across the country at state and federal levels.
As noted in our position statements on white or brown bagging and home infusion, COA believes these actions are dangerous for patients and therefore strongly opposes them. Additionally, these represent another step in the largely integrated insurer and PBM complex controlling physician prescribed treatment decisions.
COA is hard at work opposing the latest push for white or brown bagging and home infusion on many fronts, including forthcoming legislative, legal, and communications efforts. Our advocacy will be particularly important as Congress considers another stimulus bill and new policies are pushed. Stay tuned for more updates and how you can get involved.
If you or your practice have received notice that insurer policies have or will be changing regarding the issues of white or brown bagging, home infusion, or any other major issues adversely impacting cancer treatment, please let us know and share any documentation you have. And, if these policies are implemented, please share your experiences, particularly as patients are impacted.
COA & CancerCare Launch Patient Financial Assistance Fund
Grants Help Patients Experiencing Financial Hardship During COVID-19
COA and CancerCare have created the Patient Financial Assistance Fund to assist patients who are experiencing a loss of income or financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through the Fund, each qualifying patient is eligible for up to $500 in support. Patients may access the Fund by having their treatment provider join the program. The practice will then guide each patient through the process of applying for and receiving funds.
Five New COA Position Statements Now Available
COA Takes Stand on Sequestration, Copay Accumulators, Prior Authorization, and Certificate of Need Requirements
COA is continuing its duty as the national representative of community oncology practices by issuing positions on several hot button items.
Recent position statements address the misapplication of sequestration cuts, new programs called “copay accumulators” that are used by PBMs to prey on patients, the broken state of prior authorization, and the unnecessary set of regulations known as “Certificate of Need”.
Save the Date: The Payer Exchange Summit Returns
Invitation-Only Summit to Take Place Virtually, October 27-28
Oncology Care Model (OCM). Oncology Care Model 2.0 (OCM 2.0). Oncology Care First (OCF). Three major payment reform models, all with different quirks and requirements. How are they performing during COVID-19?
At this year’s Payer Exchange Summit, happening virtually October 27-28, an invitation-only group of oncology professionals, employers, insurers, and key stakeholders will share updates and strategies for meaningful reform.
Resource Spotlight: COA Administrators’ Network (CAN)
Share, Learn, and Network With Practice Professionals
The administrative side of community oncology is sometimes overshadowed by the clinical side, but it is just as vital. The COA Administrators’ Network (CAN) was created by COA to be a forum for administrators to share resources, learn from each other, and network.
Membership for CAN is free for professionals involved in the operations of community oncology professionals. It grants you access to an entire professional world built by administrators, for administrators.
June Newsletter: Virtual Advocacy Summit, Patient Assistance Fund
COA & CPAN Hosting Virtual Advocacy Summit July 15th
Patients and Advocates Learn from Policy Experts
On July 15, COA and the Community Oncology Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) will host the Virtual Community Oncology Advocacy Summit: Cancer Care in a COVID-19 World.
Attendees will learn how to be better advocates after hearing from those on the front lines of policymaking and research. Patients, survivors, advocates, practicing health care professionals, and caregivers can join us for free. Be sure to register today!
White or Brown Bagging & Home Infusion: Emerging Issue Alert
Insurers Pushing Dangerous Practices Amid Pandemic
In recent months, COA has been following a dangerous effort by insurers to force more white or brown bagging of treatments, as well as a push by some for home infusion of cancer drugs. Using the COVID-19 (coronavirus) pandemic as an excuse, these policies are emerging across the country at state and federal levels.
As noted in our position statements on white or brown bagging and home infusion, COA believes these actions are dangerous for patients and therefore strongly opposes them. Additionally, these represent another step in the largely integrated insurer and PBM complex controlling physician prescribed treatment decisions.
COA is hard at work opposing the latest push for white or brown bagging and home infusion on many fronts, including forthcoming legislative, legal, and communications efforts. Our advocacy will be particularly important as Congress considers another stimulus bill and new policies are pushed. Stay tuned for more updates and how you can get involved.
If you or your practice have received notice that insurer policies have or will be changing regarding the issues of white or brown bagging, home infusion, or any other major issues adversely impacting cancer treatment, please let us know and share any documentation you have. And, if these policies are implemented, please share your experiences, particularly as patients are impacted.
COA & CancerCare Launch Patient Financial Assistance Fund
Grants Help Patients Experiencing Financial Hardship During COVID-19
COA and CancerCare have created the Patient Financial Assistance Fund to assist patients who are experiencing a loss of income or financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Through the Fund, each qualifying patient is eligible for up to $500 in support. Patients may access the Fund by having their treatment provider join the program. The practice will then guide each patient through the process of applying for and receiving funds.
Five New COA Position Statements Now Available
COA Takes Stand on Sequestration, Copay Accumulators, Prior Authorization, and Certificate of Need Requirements
COA is continuing its duty as the national representative of community oncology practices by issuing positions on several hot button items.
Recent position statements address the misapplication of sequestration cuts, new programs called “copay accumulators” that are used by PBMs to prey on patients, the broken state of prior authorization, and the unnecessary set of regulations known as “Certificate of Need”.
Save the Date: The Payer Exchange Summit Returns
Invitation-Only Summit to Take Place Virtually, October 27-28
Oncology Care Model (OCM). Oncology Care Model 2.0 (OCM 2.0). Oncology Care First (OCF). Three major payment reform models, all with different quirks and requirements. How are they performing during COVID-19?
At this year’s Payer Exchange Summit, happening virtually October 27-28, an invitation-only group of oncology professionals, employers, insurers, and key stakeholders will share updates and strategies for meaningful reform.
Resource Spotlight: COA Administrators’ Network (CAN)
Share, Learn, and Network With Practice Professionals
The administrative side of community oncology is sometimes overshadowed by the clinical side, but it is just as vital. The COA Administrators’ Network (CAN) was created by COA to be a forum for administrators to share resources, learn from each other, and network.
Membership for CAN is free for professionals involved in the operations of community oncology professionals. It grants you access to an entire professional world built by administrators, for administrators.
