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.

Urologists Encouraged to Embrace Risk-Based Budgeting

January 14th 2014

As fee-for-service models dwindle under healthcare reform, new reimbursement models based on risk are emerging.

Survey: ACOs Fall Short When Managing Medication Use

January 10th 2014

A survey of 46 representatives from accountable care organizations (ACOs) indicates that critical gaps remain in the organizations' ability to support, manage, and ensure appropriate medication use.

The Value of Infectious Disease Specialists in Oncology Practices Remains Cloudy

January 9th 2014

Patient care is shifting from inpatient to outpatient settings, especially in oncology.

Dabrafenib/Trametinib Combination Approved for Advanced Melanoma

January 9th 2014

The FDA has granted an accelerated approval to the combination of the MEK inhibitor trametinib and the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib as a treatment for patients with unresectable or metastatic melanoma that harbors a BRAF V600E or V600K mutation.

Is it Time to Integrate Revenue Cycle Management Systems Into Your Practice?

January 7th 2014

With the October deadline for ICD-10 transition looming, now might be the time to consider integrating current electronic health records systems with clinically-driven revenue cycle management (RCM) software.

FDA Rules Hamper Novel Ovarian Cancer Drugs

January 7th 2014

The FDA's rules for approving new drugs for the treatment of women with ovarian cancer pose frustrating problems for researchers developing novel agents and for clinicians seeking to improve outcomes for their patients

Getting Ready for the ICD-10 Transition

January 7th 2014

The transition to ICD-10 is likely to cost your practice both time and money, making a smooth implementation process all the more important.

Ambit Biosciences Looks to Break Through With TKI Quizartinib

January 6th 2014

San Diego-based Ambit Biosciences is staking its success on the kinome, a set of protein kinases in the genome and an important source for targeted therapies in oncology.

Should Your Practice Join a Provider-Based Research Network: January 2, 2014

January 2nd 2014

Provider-based research networks (PBRNs) make clinical trials available to community-based practices.

Significant Changes to Reimbursement Rates in Breast Cancer for 2014

December 31st 2013

Although the changeover to using ICD-10 billing codes won't be mandatory until October 1, 2014, there are many coding changes to consider starting on January 1. Specifically, the reimbursement rate for some genetic testing and imaging involving breast cancer will see significant changes.

What to Do About Long-term Follow-up Care Among Cancer Survivors

December 30th 2013

As new cancer therapies have prolonged life, an interesting question has arisen among community oncologists: "Is it better to transfer long-term cancer survivors to general practitioners or develop clinics for long-term survivors within cancer centers?"

Medicaid Expansion Plans Provide Novel Approaches for Healthcare Coverage

December 23rd 2013

The US Supreme Court's decision to uphold the Affordable Care Act but allow states to decide whether to expand Medicaid has raised a question in many states: Where political leaders have been opposed or split on President Obama's healthcare reforms, is it smart or foolish to cover more people?

First-Year Savings of an Oncology Accountable Care Organization

December 23rd 2013

The first oncology-specific accountable care organization (ACO) reported more than a 2% savings in its first year of existence.

Fine Print of Budget Deal Doesn't Bode Well for SGR Overhaul

December 19th 2013

The tiny "raise" touted in the latest temporary fix to Medicare's Sustainable Growth Rate, which was wrapped inside the bipartisan budget deal headed to President Obama's desk, is anything but good news for oncologists.

Dr. Estey Discusses the FDA Approval Process

December 18th 2013

Elihu H. Estey, MD, professor of medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, discusses a potential change to the FDA approval process as it relates to Mylotarg (gemtuzumab ozogamicin).

Deadline for Second Stage of Meaningful Use Objectives Extended Through 2016

December 18th 2013

In a recent blog post and echoed on the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) web site, Robert Tagalicod, director of the CMS Office of E-Health Standards and Services and acting National Coordinator for Health Information Technology Jacob Reider, MD, announced that the deadline for stage 2 of the meaningful use program would be extended through 2016.

New Reimbursement Model Proposes a Combination of Case Management and Care Coordination in Oncology

December 18th 2013

The current American health care payment system that is tied to high-cost procedures, including cancer care, demonstrates the system's shortfalls and inefficiencies.

Novel Oral Mucositis Treatment Explored in Head and Neck Cancer

December 18th 2013

Following a fast track designation from the FDA earlier this year, a phase II clinical trial is being initiated to evaluate SGX942 as a treatment for oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer.

Oncologist Survey Suggests Traditional Drugstores Lack Expertise With Specialty Medications

December 13th 2013

Oncologists and other specialists who prescribe specialty medications are highly satisfied with their specialty pharmacy, but that satisfaction doesn't translate to some traditional drugstores.

CMS Physician Fee Schedule Delays Capping Radiation Oncology Reimbursements

December 12th 2013

Some radiation oncologists may breathe a little easier for now because the CMS has decided not to cap certain freestanding radiation oncology reimbursements in its Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule.