Community Oncology Alliance

Community oncology is personal—not just for patients, but for professionals who are dedicated to caring for their communities. Meet Dr. Kate Baker, MD, MMHCD, medical director of value-based care and medical oncologist at Tennessee Oncology. Dr. Baker’s personal experiences with health care, including her own hospital stay and her father’s cancer diagnosis, sparked a desire to help others through practicing oncology. Now, Dr. Baker works in the rural areas around Nashville, providing her tight-knit community with high-quality, patient-first cancer care. As a member of COA’s Fellows Initiative, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation of community oncologists. Read more about her story: https://bit.ly/3AOHR3N #CancerCare #CommunityOncology #OncologyJobs

That's a wrap! We just concluded our second pilot Health Equity workshop where we hosted 40+ practice professionals and stakeholders from across the country. We came together with the shared mission of supporting independent community oncology practices in their efforts to put patients first in an equitable and sustainable way. We focused on People, Process, and Technology as the key pillars oncology practices must address as they work to implement evidence-based health programs tailored for their patients' needs. Stay tuned for more lessons learned from this eventful two-day workshop. #HealthEquity #CommunityOncology #PatientAccess Shiela Plasencia Nicolas Ferreyros Judith Alberto, MHA, RPh, BCOP Ted Okon Doug Barefield Johanna Hopkins Andrea Fetchko

The 340B program has grown significantly in recent years, awarding discounts to hospitals instead of patients. This has led to financial abuse and increased consolidations. For years, COA has worked to advance 340B reform, and 2024 is shaping up to be a marquee year for change in Congress. Learn how we’ve advocated for 340B reform and other changes at the federal level: https://bit.ly/4eGmVKS #CancerAdvocacy #CancerCare #340B

Join us next month for our annual "State of the States" webinar, where we’ll review key state-level cancer policy trends from 2024 and offer an outlook for what’s to come in 2025.

Here we go DC! 48hrs of Community Oncology Alliance #HealthEquity and #GovernmentRelations. Can’t wait to help lead 16 practices across the US in cracking the code on #principleillnessnavigation (PIN) to help galvanize efforts to navigate complex patients to more comprehensive cancer services. If we get this right it’s a win for #patients, #providers, #practices, and yes… even #payers!!! Huge thanks to BroadReach Shiela Plasencia Judith Alberto, MHA, RPh, BCOP Doug Barefield Amogh Rajan Alti Rahman Susan Sabo-Wagner MSN, RN, OCN, NEA-BC Nicolas Ferreyros Ted Okon and our sponsors.

COA’s Quality and Value Standards and handy checklist help practices ensure high-quality, local, cancer care. Independent community oncology practices can evaluate operations and performance, prepare for participation in cancer certification programs, and demonstrate a commitment to quality and value to patients, employers, and other stakeholders. Get started: https://bit.ly/3UdfkLI #CancerCare #CommunityOncology

Join us next week for an overview of the 2025 CMS Final Rule and its comprehensive impact on the Physician Final Fee Schedule and the Merit-based Incentive Payment System (MIPS) in community oncology. This webinar will cover the critical changes in the fee schedule that will directly affect reimbursement and operational strategies, as well as essential updates to MIPS. Our expert speakers will guide you through the changes, highlighting key areas that community oncology practices need to understand.

Caregivers play an important role during cancer diagnosis and treatment—providing emotional support, navigating appointments and insurance, and so much more. Something they’re not always able to do: pick up their loved one’s medications. Change may come soon! During National Family Caregivers Month, COA thanks Representatives Diana Harshbarger and Debbie Wasserman Schultz for introducing and passing H.R. 5526 in the U.S. House of Representatives. This legislation would lift barriers for patients to access medicines, including removing restrictions that prevent family members or caregivers from picking up medication on behalf of patients. COA now calls on United States Senate to continue the momentum by advancing the companion bill, S.3458, safeguarding that no patient is left behind due to misinterpreted regulation restricting access to necessary treatment. https://bit.ly/3BQqQGs #CancerPolicy #NationalFamilyCaregiversMonth #PatientAccess

Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) unnecessarily delay patients' access to medication. Should patients and community oncology staff have to follow up with PBMs to get the lifesaving medication patients deserve? No. Barbara was prescribed two drugs to help with chemotherapy side effects during brain cancer treatment. After five days of silence—and only because of a call from Barbara’s nurse—she learned the PBM staff hadn't even started filling the prescription. Because the PBM unnecessarily delayed the medication, Barbara’s radiation treatment was forced to be postponed. https://bit.ly/40bid3w #PBM #PBMReform #PharmacyBenefitManager

Through December 7, Medicare enrollees can change their coverage to a plan that works best for them. Join Kathy Oubre, MS of Pontchartrain Cancer Center with COA’s Rose Gerber, MS, as they discuss Medicare open enrollment, types of coverage, and what’s different in 2025. Learn about navigating the insurance marketplace, what type of coverage is best for individual needs, and more. They’ll address frequently asked questions and share tips for a smoother sign-up. Register and join CPAN on Nov. 13: https://bit.ly/4fje55K #CommunityOncology #Medicare #OpenEnrollment