The 2021 COA Payer Exchange Summit on Oncology Payment Reform was a great success, with over 600 registrants and a 94 percent viewership rate over two days.

Attendees heard from industry analysts, practice leaders, and policy professionals on the current state of payment reform and what may lie in the future for reform efforts. From current issues with the 340B Drug Pricing Program to the rise of direct contracting between employers and providers, a rich array of topics was explored.

Recordings and slides of the Payer Exchange Summit will be available soon to all registered individuals. The only items needed to access these items are the email address used to register and the Summit password.

James Lee has been hired as the senior manager of state regulation and policy for COA. States have been taking the lead in crafting health care and pharmaceutical policy in 2020 and 2021. To keep COA’s finger on the pulse of state activity, the COA Board of Directors created the position to liaise with state level officials and advocates.

Prior to joining COA, James worked for Legacy Community Health in Texas, one of the nation’s largest and fastest growing Federally Qualified Health Centers. James will put his previous experience to work at COA, keeping federal policy informed by state actions and working with members to advance common sense state policy.

Oncology social workers keep the treatment and recovery process working smoothly. Mental health support, care planning, coordination between physicians, and other key elements of care fall under a social worker’s umbrella.

On November 10 at 12 p.m. ET, Abra Kelson, LICSW, OSW-C, of Northwest Medical Specialties joins Rose Gerber of COA to discuss the daily life of a social worker and how you can better take advantage of all the resources your care provider’s social workers have to offer.

This event is part of the COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) Advocacy Chat series – short, monthly educational webinars on key cancer issues and the policies that impact them. Don’t miss the November chat and watch out for future ones!

COVID and Cancer: A Dangerous Combination, Especially for People of Color

Before the pandemic, it was well known among physicians and legislators that people of color experienced disproportionately high rates of cancer and sought treatment at lower rates. The pandemic has worsened this divide, and physicians are starting to see the fallout.

Two New PBM Launches Aim to Bring Greater Transparency to the Market

Two major players have entered the pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) arena. The Purchaser Business Group on Health and the Mark Cuban Cost Plus Drug Company PBC have launched separate PBMs in a bid to bring transparency to the market. Growing issues with PBM misbehavior and opaque business practices are causing discontent among providers and patients.

New Report Finds Biosimilars Could Save States Billions of Dollars Annually

The Biosimilars Forum and Pacific Research Institute have released a new report indicating that widespread use of biosimilars could save states billions of dollars in health care costs. Biosimilars, which are biologic drugs that are cheaper to produce and have no clinically meaningful difference from current FDA-approved biologics, are used to treat conditions like cancer, diabetes, Crohn’s disease, and arthritis.

90% of 340B Hospitals Don’t Follow Drug Price Transparency Rules

The vast majority of hospitals that participate in the 340B drug pricing program do not follow recent hospital transparency regulations requiring them to report the prices they charge for oncology treatments and the rates they negotiate with private insurers, a new analysis found.