Community Oncology Alliance

Check out COA’s recently published June Newsletter with policy updates on the Senate Finance Committee’s aim to address drug shortages and modernize Medicare payment. Also highlighted: - Lisa Sowinski-Raff, vice president of pharmacy services OneOncology, joins COA's Community Oncology Pharmacy Association (COPA) advisory board. - COA hosts three webinars in July, plus monthly COPA and COA Administrators’ Network calls. #CancerPolicy #DrugShortages #Medicare https://bit.ly/3RSFamR

As we celebrate the Fourth of July tomorrow, it's important to remember our role in democracy. In May, community oncology advocates did their job as citizens by meeting with their elected representatives to ask for support of local, independent cancer care. #Advocacy #CancerCare #CommunityOncology https://lnkd.in/ewZqxHps

COA has you covered with the latest opportunities for independent community oncology practices. Join us for three July webinars on CMMI’s EOM reopening, Sit In My Chair policymaker visits, and health equity. More: - July 10 at 2 pm ET: CMMI’s Enhancing Oncology Model reopening for a second cohort, including the impact of changes and practice considerations/concerns. Speakers: COA practice experts and Avalere Health. - July 16 at 12 pm ET: COA Patient Advocacy Network (CPAN) Sit In My Chair initiative to bring state and federal policymakers to practices and showcase the value of independent community oncology. Speakers: COA’s Nicolas Ferreyros, Rose Gerber, MS, and James Lee. - July 17 at 12 pm ET: CPAN’s July Advocacy Chat on how independent community oncology practices can advance health equity by providing accessible and affordable care. Speakers: Rose Gerber and guest Richard Martin of Tennessee Oncology #CommunityOncology #HealthEquity #EnhancingOncologyModel https://bit.ly/3W7lRsz

In response to feedback from participants and advocacy organizations, CMMI will reopen the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) for interested practices. Join COA for a webinar on July 10 at 2 p.m. ET to hear from policy experts on the impact of changes to the #EOM, and from practices who are currently in the EOM or deferred participation in the first round. Speakers will review the changes to the EOM, share feedback COA has heard from practices, and discuss important considerations for practices as they think about joining the second cohort.

In August, Congressional lawmakers take a recess and return to their home districts. Join COA’s Nick Ferreyros, Rose Gerber, MS, and James Lee on Tuesday, July 16, at 12 p.m. ET to learn how the Sit in My Chair program can help you create a strong relationship with your elected representatives. Register here. When policymakers experience the real issues affecting people being treated for cancer, they better understand the value of independent community oncology. That’s the idea behind COA’s Sit In My Chair program, where practices invite and host lawmakers for a site visit. COA’s Sit In My Chair program makes it easy for independent practices to build lasting relationships with state and federal lawmakers and advocate for the world-class cancer care community oncology provides.

Join the National Cancer Treatment Alliance for a discussion of #biomarker testing on Tuesday, August 27, at 1 p.m. ET. Modern advances have increased the accuracy and versatility of biomarker testing, but employers and insurers may not be aware of the health and cost saving benefits. Register here.

The COA Payer Exchange Summit on Oncology Payment Reform is an annual gathering of cancer care providers, payers, employers, employer health groups, benefits consultants, and others who are invested in transforming cancer care. Each attendee is currently, or interested in becoming, an active participant in a public or private oncology payment reform effort that explores new ways of measuring, paying, or delivering cancer care that ensures patients receive the excellent standard of care they deserve. If you’re an independent community cancer care provider, public or private payer, employer, employer health group, benefits consultant, or industry leader who is participating, or is interested, in improving the quality and cost-efficiency of cancer care, then you qualify. Attendance is by invitation only. We require that you and your organization be involved in a payment and delivery reform project and demonstrate a passion for improving the patient experience, increasing the quality of care, and making care more affordable. If you are a cancer care provider or practice professional, you will be asked to provide contact information for an employer, employer health group, benefits consultant, or payer that you feel would benefit from this discussion.

Health equity is a big buzzword in cancer care, but what does that actually look like in a practice? Join host Rose Gerber, MS and guest Richard Martin of Tennessee Oncology on July 17 at 12 p.m. ET to take a look at the ways practices are meeting patient needs by accounting for non-clinical factors like financial need, ethnicity, religion, and more.

In June, COA worked hard to represent community oncology at all levels. We submitted solutions to physician reimbursement and drug shortages to Congress, welcomed a new COPA board member, and more. In the payment reform space, COA is hosting the Payer Summit in early September. If you are actively involved in oncology payment reform and want to network with other innovators, learn more in the COA newsletter and request an invitation. https://conta.cc/3XGJYiV

The New York Times launched a series today delving into how pharmacy benefit managers drive up health care costs. COA has long stated that these entities prioritize profits over #patient care by restricting access to treatments and delaying care for cancer and other serious diseases. This leads to increased health care spending, poor patient outcomes, and burnout among providers. We must get these middlemen out of health care. #PBMs https://lnkd.in/em6mVRXn