October Newsletter: Payer Exchange Summit, COVID-19 Impact on Cancer, Cancer Survivorship in 2020, and More
Catch Up with the 2020 Payer Exchange Summit
Annual Meeting Included Payment Reform’s Brightest Minds
In case you missed it, this week was the virtual 2020 Payer Exchange Summit (PES) on Oncology Payment Reform.
Featuring experts in all aspects of payment reform, from value-based insurance design to the role of biosimilars to updates from ongoing payment reform projects, the Summit was a huge success. Thank you to all that attended and your contribution to payment reform in community oncology. Your voice and expertise help make cancer care better and cheaper for everyone.
Slides and recordings from the virtual 2020 Payer Exchange Summit will be posted next week to the Summit website. All registrants will have automatic access. If you missed the Summit or would like to access enduring materials, registration is still available for on-demand access.
New Study Reveals Cancer Services Have Plummeted During COVID-19 Pandemic
Cancer Screening Stays Down, Setting Up Increase of Complications and Mortality
On October 21, COA released a study showing a huge drop in preventive cancer screenings like mammograms, colonoscopies, and biopsies due to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). The study, conducted by Avalere Health on behalf of COA, examined billing frequencies for common cancer procedures in 2020 and compared them to 2019.
The study found significant reductions in common breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancer screening procedures that have not rebounded, even as providers have instituted safety procedures to stop COVID-19 transmission. Experts are worried that the lack of screenings will contribute to increased mortality and complications from advanced cancers in 2021 and beyond.
Webinar: The Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Services
Free Webinar Analyzes Data from New COA/Avalere Health Study
On October 30 at 12 p.m. ET, the authors of The Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Care will discuss the implications of their findings for physicians, payers, and patients. The study found a huge drop in the rate of cancer screenings and procedures among American seniors and Medicare beneficiaries.
Study authors Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA and Lucio Gordan, MD, will dissect the study data and explain what actions must be taken to avoid a huge increase of late-stage diagnoses, worse outcomes, and increased mortality.
Advocacy Chat: The State of Cancer Survivorship in 2020
NCCS Joins CPAN to Share Results of State of Cancer Survivorship Survey
Each year, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) conducts its State of Cancer Survivorship Survey, a broad, national survey that helps providers, insurers, employers, and others understand the treatment process from the patient perspective.
On November 4 at 12 p.m. ET, NCCS CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso will join Rose Gerber to discuss the 2020 survey and its implications for cancer advocates. Attendees will take a deep dive into the 2020 survey data, what it means for the future, and develop strategies to use the data to effect positive change for cancer care.
Payment Reform Model Brief and Interactive Map Now Available
Explore the Spread of Alternative Payment Models Across the U.S.
As of 2020, 35 distinct oncology payment reform models are active in the United States. The inaugural Payment Reform Model Brief tracks the spread of oncology models across the U.S. and details the different types of models employed by payers.
Currently, these models are employed in 37 states, with seven operating in multiple states and four operating at a national level. The Brief demonstrates a national commitment to payment reform in oncology from multiple stakeholders, all of whom are searching for higher quality, lower cost cancer care.
COA Board: Extend Stop of Medicare Sequester Cuts Through 2021
Practices are Under Enormous Financial Pressure During Pandemic
This week, the COA Board of Directors submitted a letter to Congressional leaders requesting they extend the stop of Medicare sequestration cuts. Congress wisely decided to stop the application of sequestration to Medicare payments through December 31, 2020 but COA is requesting that act again to stop sequestration for an additional year through December 31, 2021.
As the letter explains, the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt the financial health of community oncology practices, who have dealt with decreased screenings and treatment along with the complete retooling of operations to protect patients. Re-enacting sequestration cuts now would permanently harm community oncology providers.
October Newsletter: Payer Exchange Summit, COVID-19 Impact on Cancer, Cancer Survivorship in 2020, and More
Catch Up with the 2020 Payer Exchange Summit
Annual Meeting Included Payment Reform’s Brightest Minds
In case you missed it, this week was the virtual 2020 Payer Exchange Summit (PES) on Oncology Payment Reform.
Featuring experts in all aspects of payment reform, from value-based insurance design to the role of biosimilars to updates from ongoing payment reform projects, the Summit was a huge success. Thank you to all that attended and your contribution to payment reform in community oncology. Your voice and expertise help make cancer care better and cheaper for everyone.
Slides and recordings from the virtual 2020 Payer Exchange Summit will be posted next week to the Summit website. All registrants will have automatic access. If you missed the Summit or would like to access enduring materials, registration is still available for on-demand access.
New Study Reveals Cancer Services Have Plummeted During COVID-19 Pandemic
Cancer Screening Stays Down, Setting Up Increase of Complications and Mortality
On October 21, COA released a study showing a huge drop in preventive cancer screenings like mammograms, colonoscopies, and biopsies due to COVID-19 (novel coronavirus). The study, conducted by Avalere Health on behalf of COA, examined billing frequencies for common cancer procedures in 2020 and compared them to 2019.
The study found significant reductions in common breast, colon, prostate, and lung cancer screening procedures that have not rebounded, even as providers have instituted safety procedures to stop COVID-19 transmission. Experts are worried that the lack of screenings will contribute to increased mortality and complications from advanced cancers in 2021 and beyond.
Webinar: The Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Services
Free Webinar Analyzes Data from New COA/Avalere Health Study
On October 30 at 12 p.m. ET, the authors of The Impact of COVID-19 on Cancer Care will discuss the implications of their findings for physicians, payers, and patients. The study found a huge drop in the rate of cancer screenings and procedures among American seniors and Medicare beneficiaries.
Study authors Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA and Lucio Gordan, MD, will dissect the study data and explain what actions must be taken to avoid a huge increase of late-stage diagnoses, worse outcomes, and increased mortality.
Advocacy Chat: The State of Cancer Survivorship in 2020
NCCS Joins CPAN to Share Results of State of Cancer Survivorship Survey
Each year, the National Coalition for Cancer Survivorship (NCCS) conducts its State of Cancer Survivorship Survey, a broad, national survey that helps providers, insurers, employers, and others understand the treatment process from the patient perspective.
On November 4 at 12 p.m. ET, NCCS CEO Shelley Fuld Nasso will join Rose Gerber to discuss the 2020 survey and its implications for cancer advocates. Attendees will take a deep dive into the 2020 survey data, what it means for the future, and develop strategies to use the data to effect positive change for cancer care.
Payment Reform Model Brief and Interactive Map Now Available
Explore the Spread of Alternative Payment Models Across the U.S.
As of 2020, 35 distinct oncology payment reform models are active in the United States. The inaugural Payment Reform Model Brief tracks the spread of oncology models across the U.S. and details the different types of models employed by payers.
Currently, these models are employed in 37 states, with seven operating in multiple states and four operating at a national level. The Brief demonstrates a national commitment to payment reform in oncology from multiple stakeholders, all of whom are searching for higher quality, lower cost cancer care.
COA Board: Extend Stop of Medicare Sequester Cuts Through 2021
Practices are Under Enormous Financial Pressure During Pandemic
This week, the COA Board of Directors submitted a letter to Congressional leaders requesting they extend the stop of Medicare sequestration cuts. Congress wisely decided to stop the application of sequestration to Medicare payments through December 31, 2020 but COA is requesting that act again to stop sequestration for an additional year through December 31, 2021.
As the letter explains, the COVID-19 pandemic has hurt the financial health of community oncology practices, who have dealt with decreased screenings and treatment along with the complete retooling of operations to protect patients. Re-enacting sequestration cuts now would permanently harm community oncology providers.
