Washington, DC, Oct. 29, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — The Ninth Payer Exchange Summit on Oncology Payment Reform, hosted by the Community Oncology Alliance (COA), convenes today. The COA Summit series is a unique gathering of more than 200 cancer stakeholders who come together to share ideas that will advance meaningful oncology payment reform. Attendees include providers, payers, employers, employer health groups, policy makers, and industry leaders from across the cancer care system who are involved in ongoing payment and delivery reform efforts. They will discuss barriers to value-based care, strategies for overcoming them, and how the community oncology system can better work together to implement system-wide payment reform.
The Summit is an invitation only two-day meeting that enables networking and idea sharing to provide patients with high quality care while implementing cost efficient programs that will lower the cost of care. During the Summit attendees are discussing in-depth reports on payment reform pilot projects and exchanging ideas on what has worked, what has not, and what needs to be done to craft viable, truly patient-centric solutions. Attendees are actively working on solutions to high drug prices and the cost of cancer care by relying on the real-world expertise of every segment of those in the cancer care delivery system.
Since the first COA Payer ExchangeSummit, held in 2014, numerous oncology payment reform initiatives first discussed at the Summits have become a reality in both the Medicare and private sectors. Sessions at the current Summit are focused on updates from the Oncology Care Model (OCM) and attempts to develop a single national model that aligns Medicare, private payers, and providers. Featured presentations will include regional and local reform systems and programs already in implementation in Florida, Indiana, Michigan, and Washington.
The Summit is part of COA’s continued commitment to oncology payment reform leadership, enhancing the quality and patient experience of cancer care, and to making cancer care more cost-effective and affordable. COA has been at the forefront of exploration of payment reform options and works with the congressional committees of Medicare jurisdiction, private payers, self-insured employers, and other cancer organizations on oncology payment reform options. A standing COA committee comprised of payers, oncology providers, patient advocates, and industry representatives has already developed specific measures of cancer care quality and value, including a truly reflective patient satisfaction measurement survey system.
The next Payer Exchange Summit will be held during the annual Community Oncology Conference taking place April 4-5, 2019 in Orlando, Florida. The Conference theme is “Ensuring Quality, Affordable & Accessible Cancer Care.” More information will be available at www.COAConference.org.
About the Community Oncology Alliance: The majority of Americans battling cancer receive treatment in the community oncology setting. Keeping patients close to their homes, families, and support networks lessens the impact of this devastating disease. Community oncology practices do this while delivering high-quality, cutting-edge cancer care at a fraction of the cost of the hospital setting. The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) advocates for community oncology and smart public policy that ensures the community cancer care system remains healthy and able to provide all Americans with access to local, quality, affordable cancer care. Learn more at www.CommunityOncology.org.
Attachments
Nicolas FerreyrosCommunity Oncology Alliance202-729-8147news@coacancer.org