In the article, Harsha Vyas, MD, CEO of Athena Oncology and founding physician of the Cancer Center of Middle Georgia, explains why independent oncology practices are facing a critical turning point.
He outlines three major pressures facing community practices:
• Financial and reimbursement strain: Outdated payment models, Medicare cuts, rising drug acquisition costs, and inflation that has not been reflected in reimbursement rates are making it harder for independent clinics to stay sustainable.
• Consolidation: More practices are being absorbed into hospitals or private equity backed groups. This can reduce physician autonomy, raise costs for patients, and limit patient choice.
• Workforce challenges: Administrative burdens and burnout are increasing while fewer oncologists enter community practice, creating long term concerns for access to care.
Dr. Vyas stresses that this is a crucial moment for policymakers to support independent oncology care. He calls for site neutral payments, stronger support for rural communities, guardrails on insurer and PBM influence, and programs that strengthen the oncology workforce.hanges as the debate evolves over how to align 340B’s incentives with outcomes for patients and the health system.
Read the full article here
