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.

Dr. Rhee Discusses Workplace Violence in Urology Practices

May 17th 2014

Eugene Y. Rhee, MD, chief of urology, Kaiser Permanente, discusses workplace violence in urology practices.

Practices Look to GPOs Even as Reimbursement Cuts Loom

May 16th 2014

Community oncology practices are at a crossroads despite the maturity of the marketplace. Running an efficient oncology practice is getting tougher and tougher.

Developing a Multidisciplinary Geriatric Oncology Center

May 16th 2014

Researchers at Thomas Jefferson University's Kimmel Cancer Center have developed a model for the establishment of a comprehensive multidisciplinary geriatric oncology center to help combat the over or under treatment that elderly oncology patients often face.

Suggestions to Help Physician Practices Collect on Patient Bills

May 15th 2014

Collecting payments from patients is difficult, so practices need to adapt so that collecting revenue from patients comes just as easily as collecting reimbursement from insurers.

Changes in Urology

May 15th 2014

In urology, we are faced with very difficult and challenging times.

As Lung Cancer Screening Debate Continues, Study Projects Implementation Outcomes

May 14th 2014

In December 2013, the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommended that asymptomatic, high-risk individuals receive annual screening for lung cancer with low-dose computed tomography (LDCT).

In Negotiations, Oncologists Find That Size Does Matter

May 13th 2014

For oncology practices today, the keys to negotiating successful contracts are size and a willingness to contain costs while improving quality.

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.