COA | Association Partnerships

Results of a study conducted by the Community Oncology Alliance showed significant reductions in screenings at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Michael Diaz, MD, will co-chair the Payer Exchange Summit on Oncology Payment Reform presented by the Community Oncology Alliance on October 24 and 25, 2022 in Tysons Corner, VA.

In an interview with Targeted OncologyTM, Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, FASCO, discusses the impact of delayed cancer screenings in potential patients and how the COVID-19 pandemic has increased existing inequities in cancer care.

Although there is tremendous excitement about boundaries of science stretching beyond human imagination, realizing the real-world impact of scientific advancement on the health outcomes of patients provides a reality check on how far we still must go.

"Since 2008, 1748 community oncology clinics and/or practices have closed, been acquired by hospitals, undergone corporate mergers, or reported financial difficulties."

Oncology practices like Northwest Medical Specialties are looking for ways to improve their patient care and are willing to transform their practice to do so.

“We’ve seen remote data monitoring and remote data capturing. We are in a situation to continue moving forward, even in the midst of the pandemic, and, in fact, accelerate our position."

"Over the last 12 years, an average of 9 practices per month have closed, been acquired by a hospital, or merged. These are troubling trends and dangerous for patients battling cancer...”

COA conducted a webinar on the impact of COVID-19 on oncology practices and introduced several experts across the nation to share how their institutions have adjusted during this time to accommodate patients.

In an open letter to the President of the United States, the Community Oncology Alliance brings attention to the critical needs of patients with cancer. Community Oncology Alliance requests all private health insurance companies immediately waive all “prior authorization” requirements for cancer treatments, which pose threat to cancer treatment, particularly in patients who are elderly and among the most vulnerable in the United States to contract COVID-19.

Before a community oncology practice considers getting involved in clinical trials research, there are many factorsto consider. Perhaps foremost is the fact that cancer clinical trials provide the evidence base for new advances in oncology. 

Artificial intelligence has made inroads in many industries—banking, finance, security—but its adoption in healthcare has been lagging and real-world clinical implementation has yet to become a reality. Nonetheless, proponents say it is only a matter of time and pilot programs are starting to yield some practical results. 

The Community Oncology Alliance recently released its 2018 Year in Review report, evaluating the successes and highlights from the organization’s many initiatives over the past year. 

Michael Diaz, MD, was recently elected president of the Community Oncology Alliance and began his 1-year term on January 1, 2019. Diaz, a medical oncologist at Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute, is a long-time board member and volunteer with COA.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has proposed a slate of changes that would reduce payment for some forms of patient evaluation and management (E/M) and reduce the payment margin over wholesale acquisition cost for Medicare Part B drugs.

Representative Chris Collins recently proposed a bill that could provide the Health Resources and Serves Administration with additional resources to regulate the 340B Drug Discount Program. The 340 Drug Discount Accountability Act was introduced in the House of Representatives on June 27. If passed, the act would require that all participating hospitals document their total 340B drug purchases and pay a user fee of 0.1% to the HRSA.

Robert "Bo" Gamble, director of strategic practice initiatives at Community Oncology Alliance, shares his perspective on the 340B Drug Discount Program and the implications of the program for the oncology community. He also provides his thoughts on possible solutions for imbalances created by the program.

During a presentation at the 2018 Community Oncology Conference, hosted by the Community Oncology Alliance, Bob Twillman, PhD, emphasized a lack of understanding within the medical community on pain management. He referenced a survey conducted by the Association of American Medical Colleges, which found that a significantly small percentage of medical schools included a separate course in pain management in their curriculum.

The Community Oncology Alliance (COA) has filed a lawsuit to stop the long-running sequester cut that affects Medicare payment for Part B drugs.¹ The cut was renewed this year through the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018.

Robert "Bo" Gamble, director of Strategic Practice Initiatives, Community Oncology Alliance (COA), discusses some of the exciting topics that will be covered during the upcoming 2018 Community Oncology Conference. 

Frederick M. Schnell, MD, has been appointed to the newly created position of medical director at the Community Oncology Alliance. With over 30 years of experience as a physician and CEO of a community oncology practice, Schnell plans to reform the future of oncology payment.

Fresh concern has been ignited in the oncology community due to a set of draft recommendations for controlling price escalation in the Medicare Part B program, which covers injectable and infusion drugs.