Oncology Business Management | Specialty

The OncLive Oncology Business Management condition center page is a comprehensive resource for news and expert insights on business-focused updates and topics in oncology practices, including diversity efforts, telehealth, gaps in care, payment models, and more. This page features news articles, interviews in written and video format, and podcasts that focus on updates and best practices with oncology business management.

At End of Life, Chemotherapy Use Dropped After Implementation of Medicare Reform Act

May 13th 2014

The reductions in reimbursement for chemotherapy drugs after passage of the Medical Modernization Act (MMA) had a distinct effect on the administration of cancer drugs for patients in the last 14 days of life.

Permanent SGR Fix Falters, ASCO Issues Cancer Report

May 9th 2014

Despite repeated attempts to pass a permanent fix to address Medicare's sustainable growth rate (SGR) formula, efforts by lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have stalled again.

Enabling At-Risk Bundled Oncology Reimbursement: Why, When, and How

May 8th 2014

The current state of affairs in oncology care reimbursement is in flux, with the promise for dramatic change. It is hoped that change will foster value-based oncology care delivery, avoid the need to ration care indiscriminately, and allow for continued discovery and advancement. Good luck!

As Chemotherapy Administration Shifts to Hospitals, Report Predicts Higher Overall Costs, Lower Patient Adherence

May 7th 2014

With the growth of Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs) and cuts to reimbursement fees for chemotherapy that is administered in physician offices

FDA Grants Priority Review to PD-1 Inhibitor Pembrolizumab in Advanced Melanoma

May 6th 2014

The FDA has assigned a priority review designation to the PD-1 inhibitor pembrolizumab (MK-3475) as a treatment for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma following progression on ipilimumab.

Transforming Oncology Payments From Fee for Service to Value

May 6th 2014

Cancer is challenging in many ways. Trying to contain the costs of disease management may be the biggest challenge of all.

ASCO Proposes Flexible Bundle Payment Model

May 5th 2014

Payment reform in oncology is not new, but since most of the models proposed in the past have required wholesale changes in practice, care delivery, or administrative structure, oncology practices have been reluctant to embrace significant change.

CMS Releases Physician Payment Tool, But It's Still Not Easy to Use

May 2nd 2014

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services have released a tool to look up an individual clinician's reimbursement record, but its ease of use remains to be seen.

FDA Approves Ceritinib for ALK-Positive NSCLC

April 29th 2014

The FDA has approved the next-generation ALK inhibitor ceritinib as a treatment for ALK-positive patients with metastatic non-small cell lung cancer following treatment with crizotinib.

Physician Practices Still Slow on Bundled Payment Uptake

April 29th 2014

Only 44% of large physician practices, hospitals, and health care systems have reported adopting a bundled payment system.

Some Practices Forced to Aggressively Collect Payments From Patients

April 25th 2014

With the recent economic downturn and a proliferation of patients enrolled in high deductible health plans, oncology practices are placed in the unenviable position of having to collect payments from patients.

FDA Approves First HPV Test for Primary Cervical Cancer Screening

April 24th 2014

The FDA has approved the cobas HPV Test as a first-line screening tool for cervical cancer in women 25 and older, making it the first-ever approval for a diagnostic alternative to Pap smear.

Dr. Schneiderman on Rationing Medical Care

April 24th 2014

Lawrence J. Schneiderman, MD, professor emeritus, Medicine/Family & Preventive Medicine, University of California, San Diego (UCSD), discusses preparing doctors for the fact that medical care will have to be rationed in the future.

FDA Approves Siltuximab for Multicentric Castleman's Disease

April 23rd 2014

The FDA has approved the anti-IL-6 chimeric monoclonal antibody siltuximab as a treatment for HIV- and HHV-8-negative patients with multicentric Castleman's disease.

Dr. Pal on Sequencing Abiraterone and Enzalutamide in mCRPC

April 23rd 2014

Sumanta Kumar Pal, MD, assistant professor, genitourinary cancers, City of Hope, discusses the results of a retrospective analysis of the effect of prior abiraterone use on the activity level of enzalutamide in men with metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer (mCRPC).

Novartis Plans Acquisition of GSK's Oncology Products

April 22nd 2014

GSK and Novartis have struck a deal that will move all of GSK's oncology assets to Novartis, all of Novartis' non-flu-related vaccines to GSK, and will result in a joint consumer healthcare venture.

Greater Use of Nonphysician Providers Seen in Office Settings

April 22nd 2014

Employing nonphysician providers (NPPs) by physician practices has grown in the past 15 years

Ellen T. Matloff on Changes to the Field of Genetic Testing

April 22nd 2014

Ellen T. Matloff, MS, CGC, director, Yale Cancer Genetic Counseling Program at the Yale School of Medicine/Yale Cancer Center, gives an overview of the recent changes to the field of genetic testing.

FDA Approves Ramucirumab for Gastric and GEJ Adenocarcinoma

April 21st 2014

The FDA has approved the VEGFR-2 inhibitor ramucirumab as a treatment for patients with patients with unresectable gastric cancer or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma, based on a significant extension in OS.

Teaching Billing and Coding Techniques Benefit Second-Year Students

April 21st 2014

In addition to the clinical skills lectures included in medical school curriculum, second-year medical students at Rutgers New Jersey Medical School in Newark, NJ, are also receiving a course in understanding the basics of billing and coding