Comment Letters Address Utilization Management, Step Therapy, Prior Authorization and Oncology Workforce Shortages

In recent weeks OneOncology has substantively weighed-in on key health policy reforms related to major drivers impacting oncology workforce shortages, CMS’s regulation of health plans’ utilization management (UM) and step-therapy (ST) policies, and prior authorization (PA) processes.

“Our recent comment letters are the latest examples of how OneOncology’s clinician-led Advocacy Committee is emerging as a nationally-recognized voice on key oncology policy issues,” said David Eagle, MD, Chair of the OneCouncil Advocacy Committee.

The OneOncology response to the Senate Health, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee Request for Information (RFI) on Health Care Workforce Shortages emphasized the structural reforms to our healthcare system necessary to address clinician workforce shortages, enhance access to care for patients, and reduce the cost of care for patients and our healthcare system overall, all of which are impeded by:

Earlier this month, OneOncology’s recommendations focused on the following key elements of the CMS Prior Authorization Proposed Rule:

In February, OneOncology targeted its policy recommendations at the following components of CMS’s UM and ST Proposed Rule:

OneOncology’s policy recommendations on these topics were aligned with related policy statements issued by Community Oncology Alliance (COA) and the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO).

Ensuring that the Administration and Congress hear directly with community oncologists about how public policy impacts cancer patients, and those who provide their care, is a vital function provided by our phyisician-led advocacy team,” said Davey Daniel, MD, Chief Medical Officer, OneOncology. “Improving public policy requires active engagment and our comment letters are an important part of our work to educate policymakers about community practices – where the majority of patients receive their cancer care.”