Transforming Healthcare - The Future of Oncology Policy and Practice

Oncology is at a crossroads. With breakthroughs in precision medicine, expanding clinical trials, and the promise of immunotherapies, the field holds tremendous potential for saving lives. Yet, beneath the surface of scientific innovation lies a turbulent landscape shaped by policy changes, economic pressures, and widening gaps in patient access.

This CME/CE course offers a critical examination of the operational, financial, and policy-related challenges confronting oncology today. Led by a nationally recognized oncologist and advocate, participants will gain firsthand insights into how rising costs, workforce shortages, and changing reimbursement models are reshaping cancer care delivery.

The course begins with an exploration of the financial realities within oncology practices, including the increasing dependence on drug margins for revenue and the unintended consequences of policies like the Inflation Reduction Act. These changes directly influence oncologists’ ability to provide timely and effective care, often forcing difficult decisions around treatment affordability and care continuity.

Participants will also explore how policy levers—particularly those tied to Medicare Advantage, value-based care, and bundled payment models—impact oncology clinics' viability and patient experience. The course underscores how access to care is being challenged by rising out-of-pocket costs, shrinking reimbursement for community practices, and regional disparities in oncology workforce distribution.

In the final module, attention shifts to the future: how reforms in federal reimbursement, payer mandates, and public-private partnerships can be leveraged to improve care quality and reduce financial toxicity for patients. Participants will walk away with the knowledge not only to understand but also to advocate for policies that support equitable, sustainable oncology care models.

Learning Objectives

After completing this activity, learners will be able to:

• Identify and analyze the operational, workforce, and structural challenges faced by oncology practices.
• Evaluate financial models and reimbursement mechanisms affecting oncology care delivery and patient access.
• Describe key healthcare policies, including Medicare Advantage, value-based care models, and the Inflation Reduction Act, and assess their impact on oncology practice and equity in care delivery.

Who Should Do This Course?

This course is recommended for:

• Oncologists, hematologists, and radiation oncologists managing care in both academic and community settings.
• Oncology nurses, advanced practice providers, and palliative care professionals involved in treatment coordination and patient advocacy.
• Internal medicine, family medicine, and primary care physicians addressing survivorship and supportive care needs.
• Policy analysts, healthcare administrators, and medical directors seeking to understand oncology delivery system reforms.
• Clinical researchers and trial site managers examining the economic feasibility of integrating innovation into everyday practice.

Did You Know?

• The U.S. is expected to face a shortage of more than 2,200 oncologists by 2030. (Journal of Oncology Practice, 2022)
• Drug costs account for over 60% of community oncology clinic revenues. (Community Oncology Alliance, 2023)
• Approximately 1 in 4 cancer patients skip treatment due to financial burden. (CancerCare, 2021)
• Medicare Advantage enrollment surpassed traditional Medicare for the first time in 2023. (KFF, 2023)
• The Inflation Reduction Act caps out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries at $2,000 starting in 2025. (CMS.gov, 2023)