Reimbursement: How The New Oncology Care Model Will Test Major Medicare Pay Changes

Why This Topic Matters

The OCM represents a major Medicare test of specialty-based value payment in oncology, affecting how practices coordinate care, document services, and plan for payment participation under newer federal models.

Article Sections

1. Model’s Focus Goes Beyond Chemo

   Introduces the Oncology Care Model, its intended patient population, and its place within broader Medicare payment reform. Covers the model’s general scope, timing, and participating organizations.

2. Practices Still Get FFS Payments

   Summarizes the payment structure used in the model and how participating practices receive ongoing Medicare payments alongside additional model-related payments.

3. CMS Has a Laundry List of Expectations

   Outlines the operational and care-coordination expectations tied to participation, including documentation, access, coordination, data use, and patient support activities.

4. Not Everyone is Delighted with OCM Rollout

   Describes stakeholder concerns about rollout timing, overlap with other payment programs, and the administrative burden on participating oncology practices.