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.

With the Aid of an Upgraded Acuity Tool, Fewer Patients Slip Through the Cracks

December 23rd 2017

A caseload management tool developed at the Mitchell Cancer Institute at the University of South Alabama offers a comprehensive portrait of a patient's condition that helps oncology nurse navigators to allocate their time and resources efficiently and enables managers to optimize patient care by assigning appropriate caseloads.

FDA Approves Stereotactic Radiotherapy System for Breast Cancer

December 22nd 2017

The FDA has approved a new breast-specific stereotactic body radiotherapy device known as GammaPod as a treatment for patients with breast cancer, based on findings from a 17-patient study.

$1.5 Trillion Tax Plan Heads to White House for Signature

December 21st 2017

The consolidated tax bill that now goes to President Trump’s desk for a signature carries with it dire warnings from oncology interest groups that access to care will suffer under the federal spending cutbacks that are expected to result.

FDA Grants Bevacizumab Full Approval for Glioblastoma

December 6th 2017

The FDA has granted bevacizumab a full approval for the treatment of adult patients with glioblastoma that progressed following prior therapy.

FDA Approves Trastuzumab Biosimilar

December 1st 2017

The FDA has approved the trastuzumab (Herceptin) biosimilar MYL-1401O (Ogivri; trastuzumab-dkst), which now has has approved indications for HER2-positive patients with breast or metastatic gastric or gastroesophageal junction adenocarcinoma.

Plan Now for MIPS Reporting in 2018

November 26th 2017

The end of the year is always hectic for oncology practices, but 2017 is proving exceptionally busy as CMS' Quality Payment Program transitional year comes to a close.

A Payer's Takeaways on the OCM

November 24th 2017

In a recent interview with Oncology Business ManagementTM, Peter Aran, MD, medical director of population health management for BlueCross BlueShield of Oklahoma, discussed participation in the Oncology Care Model from CMS, which is designed to improve the quality and value of care.

COA Study: Hospital Outpatient Care 60% Higher, Leads to More Emergency Visits

November 23rd 2017

As CMS moves ahead with payment reforms designed to reduce the total cost of hospital care, the results from a new study show that cancer treatment remains much less expensive at community oncology clinics than at hospitals and that the spending gap between the 2 types of sites may be growing wider.

Tax Cut Proposal Seen as Endangering Access to Care

November 17th 2017

Oncology providers contend that the sweeping $1.5 trillion in tax cuts sought by Republicans would trigger sequester cuts that would drive more independent practices out of business and reduce patient access to care.

Dr. McCollum on Treatment in the First-Line Setting for CRC

November 17th 2017

A. David McCollum, MD, physician, Texas Oncology, discusses treatment options in the first-line setting for patients with colorectal cancer (CRC).

FDA Approves Adjuvant Sunitinib for High-Risk RCC

November 17th 2017

The FDA has approved sunitinib (Sutent) for use as an adjuvant therapy in patients with renal cell carcinoma who have received nephrectomy and are high risk for recurrence.

FDA Authorizes Tumor Assay Through New Streamlined Pathway

November 16th 2017

The FDA announced that it has approved the IMPACT tumor profiling assay, while also making it easier for some device manufacturers to bring their products to market.

Bayer, Loxo to Collaborate on Larotrectinib

November 15th 2017

Bayer and Loxo Oncology have entered into a partnership to develop and market larotrectinib (LOXO-101) and LOXO-195 in the United States and worldwide.

Surgery in Oncology Is Not Always a Simple Decision

November 11th 2017

The personalization of cancer care is more elaborately expressed in multidisciplinary tumor conferences and clinical trials.

FDA Approves Brentuximab Vedotin for CTCL

November 10th 2017

The FDA has approved brentuximab vedotin (Adcetris) as a treatment for patients with cutaneous T-cell lymphoma who have received prior systemic therapy.

Finding the On-Ramp to Clinical Trial Offerings

November 6th 2017

Clinical trials help community practices attract patients, inspire oncologists, and lower costs, but forming a program can be daunting to the uninitiated.

Advance Planning Minimized Storm Impact for Oncology Practices

November 6th 2017

Texas Oncology and Florida Cancer Specialists & Research Institute knew their ability to recover from hurricanes Harvey and Irma would hinge upon the work they did before either storm arrived.

Helping Patients With Cancer Address Fertility Challenges

November 5th 2017

Oncofertility is the specialty dealing with the clinical care of patients who will lose their fertility due to cancer treatment.

Reflections of a Growing Oncologist

November 4th 2017

While providing information on the cancer and treatment gets a little easier with time, empathizing and accepting the emotions that patients and their families express does not.

USP Eases the Pressure to Improve Hazardous Drug Management

November 3rd 2017

The hood for handling biologics isn't vented to the outdoors, and there’s no negative-pressure room to safely contain and exhaust potentially tainted air.