Community Oncology Alliance

Carla, a patient with colorectal cancer, was prescribed a common oral medication. Her oncologist wrote explicit instructions: “two weeks on, one week off.” But her Pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) forced her to use their specialty pharmacy, which omitted the “one week off” instruction on her third refill. As a result, Carla ended up in the ICU fighting for her life. PBMs require patients to use their pharmacies, frequently risking patient safety and making life-threatening mistakes, all to boost their bottom line. Read more real-world examples of PBMs endangering patients with cancer: https://bit.ly/4hvbHwS #PBMReform #PharmacyBenefitManager

Artificial intelligence (AI) can help solve some of the issues that commonly face community oncology practices, but a disciplined approach is needed. AI works best when people, processes, and governance practices align. That's where the new COA AI Playbook comes in. It provides a framework to evaluate and integrate AI technologies into your practice operations. Assess how you can transform operations using AI, with COA’s AI Playbook: https://bit.ly/4vLnYBV #AIinHealthcare #CommunityOncology

Every patient with cancer deserves access to high-quality care without having to leave their community or travel long distances. Research shows that patients with metastatic breast and non-small cell lung cancers achieve longer overall survival when treated in independent community oncology practices compared to national benchmarks. Staying local allows patients to keep their support networks nearby, avoid exhausting travel, and build relationships with their care team. Learn how community oncology practice models support better outcomes: https://bit.ly/4yxWtgJ #CancerCare #CommunityOncology

What can Fred Flintstone and George Jetson teach us about the state of independent community oncology? Moving from Bedrock to Orbit City—from arcane, manual processes to modernized cancer care—requires continuous innovation. From breakthrough treatments to incorporating artificial intelligence into practice, to new ways to advocate, innovation is happening across community oncology to provide the best possible cancer care for patients, where and when they need it. Listen as Johnetta Blakely, MD, MS, MMHC, chief medical officer of COA, kicked off the 2026 COA Conference by sharing lessons from her favorite childhood shows to advance community oncology. #CancerInnovation #CommunityOncology #COA2026

What happens when mega hospitals and health systems gobble up independent physicians? Patients lose while hospitals profit. Consolidation of health care leads to higher prices and less access to local, high-quality care for patients. It’s time for policy to protect patient access to independent doctors and ensure community oncology has a sustainable path forward. Learn how policymakers can promote competition in health care in COA’s Prescription for Health Care Reform: https://bit.ly/3TOjsUR #CancerCare #HealthPolicy #HealthcareReform

On World Lung Cancer Day, COA is highlighting the essential role local, independent care plays in a patient’s journey. Regular screenings catch lung cancer early, when it’s the most treatable, giving patients the best chance at positive outcomes. For those with a diagnosis, independent community oncology practices deliver high-quality, timely care where patients live and work. Read our study to see how community oncology delivers excellent outcomes for patients with lung cancer: https://bit.ly/4wPQ275 #CancerCare #CommunityOncology #WorldLungCancerDay

Cancer policy moved at a fast and furious pace in July. COA stayed busy: - Responding to the proposed 2027 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule and OPPS rule - Exploring responsible implementation of AI at community practices with Jeff Hunnicutt and Alti Rahman - Highlighting the impact of advocacy with Emily Touloukian, DO - Protecting patient access with Johnetta Blakely - and more. Check out the July edition of the COA newsletter to catch up on any items you may have missed! https://conta.cc/4pL1cYM

At Columbus Oncology & Hematology, we’ve made a conscious choice to remain independent and community-centered. That choice shapes everything we do. It means we can focus on what’s right for our patients without being slowed down by layers of bureaucracy. We don’t have to fit care into a system — we build care around the person in front of us. It means: Our providers can spend more time with patients. We can move quickly when decisions need to be made. Patients have faster access to treatment. We can stay flexible and responsive in ways larger systems can’t. It also means we’re accountable — to our patients, to each other, and to the community we serve. We’re proud of the work we do here. And we’re proud to do it on our terms, with the people and purpose that brought us into oncology in the first place. #IndependentPractice #OncologyCare #ColumbusOncologyHematology #TeamBasedCare #CareThatFitsPatients

A pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) who never examined James overruled a treatment decision made by his cancer doctor. And it cost him his life. James was a 73-year-old husband, father, and grandfather living with metastatic lung cancer. His doctor prescribed an FDA-approved medication, but a PBM denied the request and went silent for more than three weeks while James waited for an answer. He died before ever getting the chance to try the medication. Hear more stories of how PBMs fail patients when they interfere with care decisions: https://bit.ly/4e27fDR #PBMReform #PharmacyBenefitManager

Artificial intelligence is the newest and shiniest tool in health care, but ensuring the value and successful implementation of that tool is key for independent community oncology practices. The COA AI Playbook offers expert guidance on successful implementation of AI in community oncology. On Monday, July 27 at 3 p.m. ET, Playbook contributors Jeff Hunnicutt and Alti Rahman will take COA members through the ins and outs of the Playbook, including: - Use case identification - Risk determination - Implementation roadmaps *This webinar is for COA practice members only. Registrants should be employed by an independent community oncology practice. All other registrations will be canceled.*