Community Oncology Is Fighting Back, and Winning: Nicolas Ferreyros

Why It Matters

The new data gives policymakers concrete evidence that community oncology provides cost‑effective, high‑quality care, strengthening the sector’s position in reimbursement negotiations and regulatory debates.

Key Takeaways

• COA partners with Flatiron Health to benchmark community oncology outcomes
• PBMs and health‑system consolidation threaten independent cancer practices
• Community oncology delivers high‑value care close to patients’ homes
• Practices survived COVID‑19 and Change Healthcare cyber‑attack without service loss
• Advocacy includes Capitol Hill visits, webinars, and conference platforms

Pulse Analysis

Community oncology clinics have become the backbone of outpatient cancer treatment in the United States, handling roughly 60% of chemotherapy infusions and serving patients in suburban and rural areas where hospital‑based services are scarce. Yet these independent practices face mounting pressure from pharmacy‑benefit managers that dictate drug formularies and from health‑system mergers that can siphon referrals. The resulting squeeze threatens not only revenue streams but also the ability to maintain local, patient‑centered care models that have proven cost‑effective and clinically comparable to academic centers.

In response, the Community Oncology Alliance teamed with Flatiron Health to produce the first large‑scale, real‑world evidence study comparing survival rates, treatment adherence, and cost metrics across community and hospital settings. Preliminary findings, slated for release at the upcoming Community Oncology Conference, show that community sites achieve similar—or better—outcomes while keeping patients close to home, thereby reducing travel costs and caregiver burden. This data gives policymakers a concrete benchmark, empowering advocates to push back against restrictive PBM contracts and to argue for equitable reimbursement structures.

Beyond data, COA is intensifying its advocacy playbook, arranging Capitol Hill briefings, webinars, and conference panels to ensure community oncologists have a seat at the decision‑making table. The alliance cites the sector’s resilience during the COVID‑19 pandemic and the 2024 Change Healthcare cyber‑attack as proof of its operational robustness. As the industry grapples with value‑based payment models, the demonstrated ability of community practices to deliver high‑quality, high‑value care positions them as essential partners in any future oncology payment reform.