ASCO 2015 Highlights

As we move forward in the scheme of healthcare reform, we are being directed toward an integrated care model, one with high quality and economic efficiency. Recently, a model known as an accountable care organization (ACO) was introduced by the US Department of Health and Human Services in the form of a proposed rule open for public comment.

Chicago, IL—Nearly 2% of patients with cancermay file for personal bankruptcy 5 years after their diagnosis, according to researchers from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle who presented their data at the 2011 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting.

Upper GI Malignancies” was a plenary session at ASCO 2011, with 2 experts discussing whether results of recent clinical trials of targeted agents are clinically meaningful or just statistically positive, and what is the value of the enormous amount of money spent in treating noncolorectal gastrointestinal (GI) cancer.

Interview with Al B. Benson III, MD, FACP, Professor of Medicine and Associate Director for Clinical Investigations, Robert H. Lurie Comprehensive Cancer Center of Northwestern University, Chicago, IL

An analysis of payer and provider responses to key clinical information presented at the ASCO 2011 annual meeting offers a glimpse of the oncology landscape shared by oncologists and health plans.

The management of complex oncology drugs in pharmacy and in medical benefits presents unique challenges for all parties who seek cost-effective, positive clinical outcomes for patients with cancer. New therapies are offering the exciting prospect of improved outcomes, prolonged life, and, in some cases, a cure for specific diseases.

Fragmentation in oncology care significantly influences physicians’, payers’, and patients’ understanding of how cancer therapies lead to improved quality of care.

Implementing path - ways to sustain community oncology and offering additional nursing and care management models are recent strategies being adopted by various practices and payers to reduce the medical and pharmacy costs in cancer management and improve the quality of care.

The healthcare reform legislation involves many potential issues that can affect oncology, for example, how minimum benefits are defined. First, there are required minimum benefits that all health plans and other insurers have to meet, and we have to make sure that cancer care is included.

An expanding role for oncology pharmacy in the optimization of cancer care is likely to emerge over the next 3 to 5 years, as payers seek better outcomes for their money.