Aetna, U-M form oncology patient center medical home

Media contact:  Nicole Fawcett,  734-764-2220 |  Patients may contact Cancer AnswerLine,  800-865-1125

The patient-focused model supports high-value care

ANN ARBOR, Michigan – The University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center and Aetna announced a collaboration today to create an oncology medical home that is designed to improve the care experience for cancer patients. This approach encourages teams of cancer specialists to work together to care for a patient with a cancer diagnosis.

“We are excited to work with Aetna to explore this innovative payment model for cancer care,” says Albert Quiery, M.D., medical director at the Rogel Cancer Center. “We must continue to find methods to improve the quality and value of care for our patients, their families and their employers. This payment model is a step in that direction and we look forward to working with Aetna to help refine what we see as a model for the future of cancer care payment.”   

The model is part of a strategic decision to transition from fee-for-service reimbursement to value-based payment. Value-based arrangements are emerging as a solution to address rising health care costs, clinical inefficiency and duplication of services. These arrangements also make it easier for people to get the care they need. In value-based models, doctors and hospitals are paid for helping keep people healthy and for improving the health in an evidence-based, cost-effective way for those who have chronic conditions.

Aetna is working with health care organizations nationwide to develop products and services that support value-driven, patient-centered care. Nationally today, approximately 7.1 million Aetna members receive care from doctors committed to the value-based approach, representing more than 50 percent of the company’s medical spend. Aetna is committed to increasing that number to 75 percent by 2020.

“We understand that cancer treatment can be the hardest experience that our members will ever have to go through,” says Roger Brito, D.O., Aetna senior medical director, oncology solutions team. “This oncology medical home with the Rogel Cancer Center works to give our members optimal care and an optimal patient experience.”

The operating principles of the U-M and Aetna oncology medical home include:

• An orientation to the whole person. The Rogel Cancer Center team will be responsible for providing or arranging for all of a patient’s health care needs with other qualified professionals. This includes care for all stages of treatment: preventive services, acute care, chronic care and end-of-life care.
• Evidence-based, personalized medical care. The Rogel Cancer Center team will focus on designing treatment regimens based on current medical evidence for each unique disease presentation, patient-specific factors and patient choice by using the center’s Clinical Pathways, which were designed by teams of surgeons, medical oncologists, hematologists and radiation oncologists to improve quality and outcomes.
• Coordinated and integrated care. Across all elements of the complex health system, care will be facilitated to enable Aetna members to get the appropriate care when and where it is needed and wanted, in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner.
• Quality and safety. Quality and safety will continue to be a focus of care, including use of evidence-based medicine, clinical decision support tools and accountability for continuous quality improvement.

The oncology medical home arrangement began on Oct. 1.

About the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center

The University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center is committed to improving the health and well-being of people who have – or are at risk of getting – cancer. As a National Cancer Institute-designated comprehensive cancer center, our more than 500 members work to prevent cancer, improve outcomes for those diagnosed, and improve quality of life for cancer patients and survivors. Our 17 multidisciplinary cancer clinics offer one-stop access to teams of specialists who develop personalized treatment plans for each patient. Learn more at rogelcancercenter.org or call the Cancer AnswerLine at 800-865-1125.

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation’s leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving an estimated 38.8 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental and behavioral health plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers’ compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna’s customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com and learn about how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world. @AetnaNews

back to top