A recent Senate bill would encourage the use of Oncology Medical Homes, making cancer treatment more affordable and effective.
Although most people associate medical breakthroughs with advances in technology, changes in the way we apply existing tech are every bit as important.
Oncology Care Overview
The Oncology Medical Home model is a strategy designed to lower the cost and increase the effectiveness of cancer treatment. The model is based on five key principles:
- Caregivers must engage with the patient throughout the treatment process
- Care must be as accessible as possible
- All treatments must be clearly based on evidence
- Patients should have teams of care providers whenever possible
- Caregivers should strive for regular improvements in quality
Oncology Medical Homes seek to keep patients out of hospitals and in more affordable treatment centers. Combined with facilitating more efficient, effective care, this helps keep the cost of cancer treatment low, benefiting patients, insurers, and the entire healthcare system.
Bill Basics
Introduced by senators Tom Carper (D-DE) and John Cornyn (R-TX), the Cancer Care Payment Reform Act of 2017 seeks to encourage the use of the Oncology Medical Home model. To this end, it will create a National Oncology Medical Home Demonstration Project, which will compare the costs and effectiveness of different treatments and practices over the next five years. The bill changes how Medicare covers cancer care, favoring coordinated treatment programs that minimize their patients’ hospital and emergency room visits.
The Reform Act has the support of the Community Oncology Alliance, as well as that of leading oncologists throughout the country. Combined with its bipartisan origins and the widespread demand for more affordable, effective healthcare, this gives it a strong chance of passing.
For more information on the future of cancer care, contact us today.
