Regional Cancer Care Associates has partnered with UnitedHealthcare to advance a cancer care payment initiative focused on shifting from fee-for-service to value-based care models.
The episode payment program operates on the expected cost of a standard treatment regime for a specific condition, as predetermined by a physician.
"This streamlined payment process, coupled with the oncologists sharing best practices and learning from one another, puts patient's interests at the forefront of cancer treatment," said RCCA President and CEO Terrill Jordan. "It also results in significant cost savings, which advances efforts across the country to help reign in healthcare costs."
A 2014 study published in the Journal of Oncology Practice demonstrated this value-based program reduced overall cancer expenses by more than a third while improving quality outcomes.
UnitedHealthcare, which implemented an episode payment pilot program with promising results between 2009 and 2012, has also expressed excitement about the payment partnership.
"We look forward to working with RCCA and others to expand our efforts to identify best practices for treating cancer," said UnitedHealthcare senior vice president of oncology Lee Newcomer, MD.