Medicare Launches New Enhancing Oncology Model
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation will launch the next generation of value-based payment for cancer care, the Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM) in January 2023.
While the language does not mention palliative care specifically, the new model covers much of what palliative care does, and palliative care programs have opportunities to enter into financial arrangements with participating oncology practices as formal “Care Partners.” This multi-payer model is expected to begin in July 2023, requiring participating oncology practices to enhance their capabilities in specific ways to ensure patient-centered care, including providing 24/7 access to a clinician with access to the medical record; providing patient navigation; screening for health-related social needs; and implementing electronic patient reporting of symptoms, function, and behavioral health, and social needs. Quality monitoring will focus on patient experience, avoidable acute care utilization, management of symptoms toxicity, management of psychosocial health, and management of end-of-life care, and all participating practices must submit their health equity strategy.