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.

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.

Selecting Your Career Path

December 12th 2013

Medical education and training is very intense, long, and expensive. When nearing the end of training, it is time to select a career path.

Tips to Keep Medical Practices Solvent

December 9th 2013

Medical practices are getting squeezed from all sides and are finding it difficult to stay financially solvent.

Wake Forest Baptist More Than Doubles Cancer Center Size, Adds More Providers

December 9th 2013

To respond to the growing demand in cancer services that the existing cancer center was experiencing, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center is expanding its comprehensive cancer center to help patients cope with the daunting challenges of cancer diagnosis and treatment.

ASH 2013 Preview: CAR Modified T Cells, Novel Assays, and Ibrutinib

December 4th 2013

To gain insight into the studies being presented at the ASH Annual Meeting, we interviewed Marcel R.M. van den Brink, MD, PhD, on abstracts being presented by faculty at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center.

CMS Issues Final Physician Payment Rates

December 3rd 2013

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services finalized physician payment rates and policies for 2014.

Drug Revenues Expected to Continue Falling in 2014

December 2nd 2013

After a period of relative stability from 1991 to 2004, oncology practices can expect a continued drop in drug revenue in 2014, according to findings of the National Practice Benchmark (NBP) issued by Oncology Metrics.

Dr. Finn on AMG900 in Breast Cancer

December 2nd 2013

Richard S. Finn, MD, associate professor of medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, discusses using AMG900 to treat breast cancer.

Radiology Group Issues Updated Cancer Scan Standards

November 27th 2013

The American College of Radiology (ACR) has issued new and updated evidence-based guidelines to assist oncologists when ordering exams and ensure that patients get the correct scan or therapy for the right indication.

Oncology Group Uses ASCO Metrics for Physician Compensation Program

November 26th 2013

The hematology-oncology division of an academic health center participated in a pilot physician compensation exercise using variable compensation incentives with group-specific targets based on prior below-average performance.

Dr. Herbst on PD-1 Inhibitors in Lung Cancer

November 26th 2013

Roy S. Herbst, MD, PhD, discusses the sequencing possibilities of anti-PD-1 agents in treating patients with lung cancer.

New Oncology Consortium Developing Guidance Policies for Payers

November 25th 2013

A new consortium of payers, clinicians, patients, and pharmaceutical companies are developing recommendations to help generate evidence-based guidelines to define coverage and develop payment decisions for treating cancer.

Two Studies Suggest Pattern of Misuse for Breast MRIs

November 23rd 2013

Two large cohort studies, suggest that the costly scan is being overused in women who won't benefit from it and underused in women who could gain benefit from it.

Oncology Drug Debate Heats Up Over 340B Discount Program

November 22nd 2013

In this age of sequestration and health reform, 340B is getting a closer look by lawmakers-causing critics and advocates to line up to debate its merits.