As a result of market pressures to expand value-based healthcare in oncology, the Association of Community Cancer Centers (ACCC) developed the Alternative Payment Model Coalition (APMC) to gain important insights into how alternative payment models (APMs) impact cancer delivery. The APMC focuses primarily on providing education about APMs and other value-based care programs in cancer care.

This three-hour workshop will review how best to prepare for the various APM scenarios which may occur in 2022, as well as how to sustain revenue amidst an uncertain future with federal models. Participants will hear from prominent health policy and regulatory representatives and have the opportunity to raise their questions to national experts.

Alexandra Chong, Analyst, Patient Care Models Group

Valerie Csik, BS, MPH, CPPS, Director, Quality and Care Transformation Sidney Kimmel Cancer Center at the Thomas Jefferson University Health System

Genevieve Kehoe, Research Analyst, Patient Care Models Group

Brittany La Couture, Health Insurance Specialist

Mark Liu, MHA, Director, Strategic Initiatives

Anne Marie Rainey, MSN, RN, CHC, Director of Quality and Value-based Care

Cancer Care’s Path to Recovery from the Global Pandemic
Debra Patt, MD, PhD, MBA, FASCO, Executive Vice President, Public Policy and Strategic Initiatives
Texas Oncology 

As healthcare systems navigated how to best keep patients with cancer safe during COVID-19, it resulted in dramatic drops in access to care, including preventative screenings, cancer management visits, and surgeries. Now the impact on disease progression, cancer morbidity, and death rates are beginning to be realized. Learn strategies to increase awareness and ramp up screening efforts in your own community through programs like “Time to Screen,” a nationwide campaign that offers assistance and educational resources to connect patients with appropriate screenings and services.

This session will award .50 continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

Michele Goodman, RN, BSN, MBA, Vice President, Cancer Service Line
Scott A. Kasper, MS, Vice President & Chief, Albuquerque Ambulance Service
Presbyterian Healthcare Services 

To reduce ED utilization and exposure to infectious disease, this pilot program identified symptoms that could be appropriately managed in a lower level of care setting—a patient’s home. A mobile integrated health team provided clinical interventions and wellness checks, such as hydration and labs, from the safety of patients’ homes. Throughout 2020, the care team made 652 home visits to 169 patients with cancer.

• This session will award .50 continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

• This program session is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886791045-6518) for .50 continuing education contact hour.

Jia Conway, DNP, CRNP, AOCNP, Nurse Practitioner
Cancer Care Associates of York

With the understanding that patient education about palliative care is an important component of oncology care, this practice implemented an advanced practice provider-physician model to provide this education. Risk-stratification assessment tools establish baseline metrics related to deficits in the areas of nutrition, psychosocial health, performance and mental status changes, skin breakdown, fall risks, incontinence risk, and treatment tolerance, as well as existing co-morbidities. Providers then use these outcome measurements to make patient-specific, safe treatment decisions about chemotherapy, immunotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation.

• This session will award .75 continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

Douglas Holt, MD, Chief Resident, Radiation Oncology
University of Colorado Cancer Center, UCHealth-Oncology Services

Virtual reality (VR) is uniquely positioned to improve patient understanding of cancer and its treatments. During clinical consultations, radiation oncology personnel use a mobile VR cart to provide 3D patient-specific CT, MRI, and PET-CT imaging to enhance provider and patient interaction, improve patient education, and reduce patient distress. Hear results from a clinical study that captured both quantitative and qualitative data on patient acceptance and perceived usefulness of VR in cancer education and treatment.

• This session will award .50 continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

Nancy Bowles, MHA, RN, OCN, CRNI, NEA-BC, CPC, CHONC, Vice President, Nursing
Laura Matthews, MBA, MPH, Vice President and Administrator
Inova Schar Cancer Institute

This cancer program piloted a remote monitoring program for clinically stable COVID-19 positive patients with cancer. Using equipment provided to them by the cancer program, patients reported vital measurements three times daily. Data was collected on a password-protected patient dashboard and monitored 12 hours a day, 7 days a week by advanced practice providers. APPs and physicians worked in tandem to make clinical determinations on appropriate next steps, documenting provider communications and clinical recommendations in the EHR.

• This session will award .50 continuing education credit(s) for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

Lauren M. Hamel, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Oncology
Lorna Mabunda, Clinical Research Assistant, Behavioral & Field Research Core
Wayne State University School of Medicine; Karmanos Cancer Institute

The DISCO (DIScussions of COst) app educates patients with cancer about potential treatment-related costs and generates tailored questions to prompt cost-related conversations with providers. In a pilot study, the app significantly improved patients’ self-efficacy for managing treatment costs and interacting with providers while decreasing cost-related distress. Most importantly, 100% of these video-recorded clinic visits included a cost discussion on topics ranging from patient co-pays to transportation concerns.

• This session will award .50 continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

• This program session is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886791045-6518) for .50 continuing education contact hour.

Rachel Marquez, MPH, Director of Transportation Services
Cone Health Cancer Center

After data showed that individuals living in two ZIP codes had a 12% and 15% no-show rate, compared to the average of 2.9% across all ZIP codes, this cancer program implemented a screening tool to initiate transportation discussions with patients before “non-compliance” with treatment became an issue. A pilot program addressed identified patient needs using an online transportation platform. Overall no-show appointments decreased by 48% and no-show incidence from patients living in the two at-risk ZIP codes dropped to 1.2% and 1.3%, respectively.

• This session will award .50 continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

Nicholas Garland, MS, Senior Project Manager
Katharine Klar, RN, BSN, Assistant Nurse Manager
Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center

Increased use of CT scans in emergency departments leads to higher rates of incidental radiologic findings, including adrenal masses and pulmonary lung nodules. In this “pull” model for follow-up care, ED providers use the EHR to prompt oncology nurse navigators and case managers to contact patients with incidental findings. Prompt follow-up allows for earlier diagnosis and treatment—improving care and the patient experience. From a business perspective, the cancer program realized financial gains through additional visits, procedures, surgeries, radiology scans, and/or labs.

• This session will award .50 continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

• This program session is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886791045-6518) for .50 continuing education contact hour.

Explore Showcases

Lori J. Pierce, MD, FASTRO, FASCO, Vice Provost for Academic and Faculty Affairs; Professor of Radiation Oncology, University of Michigan
Richard L. Schilsky, MD, FACP, FSCT, FASCO, Principal Investigator, ASCO TAPUR Study; Professor emeritus, University of Chicago
B. Lee Green, PhD, Vice President, Moffitt Diversity, Public Relations & Strategic Communications, Moffitt Cancer Center

Join us as we honor three extraordinary cancer care professionals—and celebrate their accomplishments—through these inspiring virtual presentations.

• This session will award 1.25 continuing education credits for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

William Dale, MD, PhD, Physician; Arthur M. Coppola Family Chair in Supportive Care Medicine
City of Hope
Shakira Grant, MBBS, Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology, Geriatrics
UNC School of Medicine

Because older adults make up the majority of new cancer diagnoses, most cancer programs, and practices treat a high percentage of this patient population, and yet many do not have a formalized approach to address the unique physiological and psychosocial needs that come with aging. Learn practical strategies to identify and assess these needs in your patients, as well as how to mitigate risks discovered by these assessments. Hear about a multidisciplinary plan that can be implemented in settings without abundant resources and return to your cancer program or practice with a framework to improve care delivery for older adults with cancer.

• This session will award .75 continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

Ponnandai S. Somasundar, MD, MPH, FACS, Vice Chairman of Surgery; Associate Chief, Division of Surgical Oncology; Director of Geriatric Oncology Program; Associate Professor of Surgery, Department of Surgery
M. Erkan Ceyhan, PhD, Director, Center for Quality & Outcomes for Surgery & Oncology
Roger Williams Medical Center

The COPE program enrolls and manages geriatric patients who have been diagnosed with cancer and engages their family members and caregivers. Patients are assessed at time of diagnosis, 30-, 60-, 90-, and 180-days after the initial diagnosis. The program takes a holistic care approach by utilizing tools and assessments, such as: 1) delirium risk, 2) cognitive assessment, 3) difficulty swallowing, 4) depression screening, 5) patient-reported quality of life measurement, 6) malnutrition assessment, 7) palliative care screening, 8) impaired functional status, 9) impaired mobility, and 10) timed up and go (TUG) test. A multidisciplinary team reviews the results of these assessments. When a risk factor is identified, care intervention is coordinated by a nurse navigator. Research faculty use patient data to develop risk stratification approaches that predict outcomes based on longitudinal assessments, labs, prospective treatment modalities, and comorbidities. A user-friendly Microsoft Excel based-tool monitors patient information including enrollment, compliance, status of assessments and interventions, referrals, and risk scores.

• This session will award .75 continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

Amanda Parkes, MD, Assistant Professor, Division of Hematology, Medical Oncology and Palliative Care; Associate Program Director, Hematology and Medical Oncology Fellowship
University of Wisconsin-Madison

In this telehealth consultative model—the first of its kind in the country—adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients aged 15-39 years at time of referral are offered a telehealth visit with a dedicated physician. This one-time telehealth clinic visit serves as an AYA-focused individualized needs assessment in which five key areas are addressed: psychosocial and supportive care, fertility, genetic predisposition, clinical trial consideration, and survivorship care. Multidisciplinary insight is then provided through an AYA interdisciplinary team meeting following the telehealth clinic visit. Learn how offering these services through telehealth consult decreased the resources needed to start the program (e.g., clinic space), expand the reach of the AYA program, and reduced barriers to access.

• This session will award .50 continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

Savannah Geske, PhD, Clinical Psychologist
Kadie Harry, PhD, Psychologist
Saint Luke’s Health System

This session describes the utilization of a workbook and the development of a companion group therapy manual on end-of-life (EoL) planning for patients with advanced cancer. Any patient with advanced cancer is eligible for the free virtual psychotherapy group. During four weekly sessions, patients discuss and complete the workbook and compile information and documents about pre- and post-death decisions. Each session begins with a brief check in and review of completed homework, as well as discussion questions pertaining to each group session’s content. Sessions also include recommendations and strategies on how to approach conversations about EoL decisions and concerns with loved ones and treatment providers. Hear preliminary results about an associated research project examining the effectiveness of this telehealth psychotherapy group to increase patient engagement in EoL planning, improve quality of life, decrease death-related anxiety, and help patient’s process fears and concerns.

• This session will award .50 continuing education credit for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists.

• This program session is Approved by the National Association of Social Workers (Approval # 886791045-6518) for .50 continuing education contact hour.

Randall A. Oyer, MD, Medical Director
Penn Medicine-Lancaster General Health
Lori J. Pierce, MD, FASTRO, FASCO, Professor of Radiation Oncology; Vice Provost for Academic & Faculty Affairs; Director, Michigan Radiation Oncology Quality Consortium
University of Michigan Hospitals and Health Centers, CGCC

This session is not offered for Continuing Education credit hours. 

Javier Munoz, MD, MS, MBA, FACP, Senior Associate Consultant, Division of Hematology and Medical Oncology
Mayo Clinic Arizona

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic deeply affected the treatment patterns for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). Hear what providers may face when seeing patients with CLL whose disease may have been poorly monitored due to COVID-19 restrictions. Discuss effective practices for treating patients with CLL during the pandemic—including best options and timing for treatment and any changes to the usual treatment regimen. Explore what care may look like for patients with CLL now and beyond the pandemic and learn strategies to prepare for the future and improve the care of this patient population.

This session is not offered for Continuing Education credit hours.