California Cancer Centers Selected For Program To Improve Care, Lower Costs

Improving cancer care for Medicare recipients is the goal of a new initiative by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Sierra Hematology Oncology Medical Center in Carmichael and Solano Hematology Oncology in Vallejo are two of 16 statewide chosen for the Oncology Care Model, which encourages doctors to improve care and lower costs through 24/7 access to care, coordinating appointments with outside providers, and easier access to emotional support groups. 

Trevor Wilson, practice support manager at Solano Hematology Oncology, says the center is trying to make it easier to access the system and get referrals.

"Adding patient navigation services for patients once they’re on treatments, new patient coordination and referral coordination to better-- basically help patients through the complex process that our medical system, and particularly oncology, imposes on them,” he says.

In all, 200 physician groups and 17 health insurance companies are participating in the program that runs for five years.

Approximately 155,000 Medicare beneficiaries will be covered under the program.