Tony Hagen

Articles

New "GPS" Test Is Designed to Predict Drug Efficacy

November 22nd 2016

A test that may be considered beyond next generation in the oncological disease testing market is getting a trial run from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey with help from a growing patient database known as COTA.

Big Data Triggers Revolution in Discovery

November 22nd 2016

In the old days, not too long ago, doctors’ offices were full of paper records, which filled shelf after shelf. This cumbersome form of keeping track of patients was effective in its own way, but with the rise of modern medicine and the power of computing, there is a need to move beyond.

CVS Reverses Course on Dispensary Exclusion Plan

October 28th 2016

CVS Health has changed its mind about excluding physician-owned dispensaries from Medicare Part D drug distribution.

Ponatinib (CML) Pricing Gets a Blast From Congress

October 21st 2016

The latest company to suffer a public relations and stock price crisis based on its drug pricing strategy is Ariad Pharmaceuticals, which has been blasted by Sen. Bernard Sanders (I-VT) on Twitter and in a formal letter demanding justification for the price tag Ariad has attached to the chronic myelogenous leukemia drug ponatinib.

Medical Devices Begin Learning How to Talk

October 15th 2016

Edward P. Ambinder, MD, discusses advances on improving the interoperability of computer technology to facilitate the sharing and security of patient records for the purposes of furthering patient-centric, coordinated, and value-based care.

CMS Final Rule on MACRA Reform Eases Pressure

October 15th 2016

The Final Rule from CMS on the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act of 2015 (MACRA) eases the pressure on small, rural practices to meet reporting and performance standards and explains more about the intentions behind the recently announced 2017 transition year.

COA: Trend of Oncology Practice Closures, Consolidations Softens

October 5th 2016

The tide of closings, mergers, and acquisitions among independent oncology clinics remains strong but appears to be tapering a bit

Conway Defends Scope of Drug Pricing Model

September 30th 2016

Patrick Conway, MD, says that the demonstration drug pricing plan, which would raise payment for low-cost drugs and lower payment for high-priced drugs, is chiefly about improving outcomes.

CMS Value Model Doesn't Do It All

September 21st 2016

Andrew L. Pecora, MD, discusses the value changes that CMS is mandating, and how it takes enormous planning and study.

CMS Backs Up CVS Network Exclusions Under Part D

September 20th 2016

In its re-interpretation of CMS policy for Medicare Part D drug dispensing, CVS Health has gone against years of allowing in-house physician dispensaries to participate in Medicare Part D.

CMS Hits the Brakes on MACRA Reforms

September 9th 2016

CMS has scaled back the implementation of physician reporting requirements under the Quality Payment Program of medical value improvement created under the Medicare Access and CHIP Reauthorization Act legislation.

CVS Cuts In-House Dispensaries Out of Part D Plan

September 2nd 2016

A move by CVS Health to place in-house physician dispensaries out-of-network for purposes of Medicare Part D drug payment would force hundreds of thousands of cancer patients across the country to find alternate sources for their oral oncolytic drugs.

Protect Against Rising Medical Data Fraud

August 23rd 2016

Oncology practices should protect themselves from the danger of having their IT systems hacked by having a risk analysis done to identify potential access and compromise points.

Optimal Therapy Sequence Continues to Evolve for Advanced NSCLC

August 9th 2016

The past few years have seen rapid evolution in the treatment and handling of advanced non–small cell lung cancer, prompting questions on how to optimize immunotherapies and targeted agents as well as incorporate biomarker testing.

CheckMate-026 Underscores Predictive Value of High PD-L1 Expression

August 9th 2016

The value of PD-L1 expression when using checkpoint inhibitors in non–small cell lung cancer is underscored by the just-announced disappointing progression-free survival findings from the phase III CheckMate-026 study of frontline nivolumab (Opdivo) versus physician's choice of combination chemotherapy.

Mok Predicts Practice-Changing Translational Advances in NSCLC

August 6th 2016

Tony Mok, MD, discussed translational advances on the horizon in non-small cell lung cancer during a presentation at the 2016 International Lung Cancer Congress.

Seeking an APM that Is Workable and Fair

August 2nd 2016

Blase Polite, MD, discusses the ramifications of CMS Acting Administrator Andy Slavitt's remarks and lingering concerns about MACRA.

Only a Small Proportion of Physician-MBAs Enter Healthcare Management

July 30th 2016

Medical students who obtain an MBA are less likely to remain in clinical work, however, and the study results suggest that the business world and its monetary gains are a powerful lure.

Threefold Growth in Cancer Center Ads

July 19th 2016

Television garners the most advertising dollars from cancer centers, but print and Internet media have seen threefold increases in cancer ads,

CMS: Oncology Care Model Will Be Tough But Worth It

July 19th 2016

Ron Kline, MD, explains that there are bound to be technical difficulties with an ambitious program such as the Oncology Care Model.