Oncology Practice Network Meets Patient Needs—and Saves Money Too

Preserving physicians' autonomy is paramount, enabling them to provide patient care unhindered. The National Cancer Care Alliance (NCCA) serves as a pivotal force in achieving both financial and clinical integration. It empowers oncology practices to maintain their independence while fostering collaboration, sharing best practices, and benefiting from economies of scale. Comprising 15 practices with over 200 oncologists, NCCA is aligned with the AMA Health System Program, offering resources to empower healthcare leadership, physicians, and care teams to shape the future of medicine. NCCA's origins trace back to Dr. McAneny's involvement with the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) in 2012 through the Community Oncology Medical Home (COME HOME) project. This initiative successfully restructured practices, emphasizing preventive care to reduce hospitalizations and lower Medicare costs by 11.5% to 8.1%, along with a 10.2% decrease in emergency department visits. Although CMMI did not fund a follow-up project, elements of COME Home influenced its Oncology Care Model.