Forum on Utilization Management
In 2023, CSC hosted its 5th annual Forum on Utilization Management to bring awareness, education, and advocacy discussions around the effects of utilization management practices on patients and the healthcare system and how we can improve utilization management practices in 2024.
2023 Utilization Management Summit
On November 30th, CSC held a virtual Utilization Management Summit which we convened patients, advocates, caregivers, providers, industry, payers, and other stakeholders to engage with two panels of patient advocacy experts.
The first panel discussed the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on patient access and emphasized the importance of patient engagement in healthcare policy decision-making. Panel I highlighted discussions from the following experts:
- Sara van Geertruyden, JD | Executive Director, Partnership to Improve Patient Care
- Barry Liden | Director of Public Policy, USC Schaeffer Center
- Michael Ward, MS | VP Public Policy & Government Relations, Alliance for Aging Research
The second panel provided legislative and regulatory updates on utilization management policies and discussed advocacy opportunities to help improve UM practices in the upcoming year. Panel II featured discussions from the following experts:
- Greg Gierer, MPP | Former VP of Policy and Research, Better Medicare Alliance
- Anna Hyde | VP Advocacy & Access, Arthritis Foundation
- Rachel Klein | Deputy Executive Director, The AIDS Institute
- Peggy Tighe | Principal, Powers Law
Utilization Management Summit 2023
CSC’s Cancer Policy Institute our 5th annual Summit on Utilization Management, showcasing two panels of experts:Panel I discussed the impact of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) on patient access and emphasized the importance of patient engagement…
2023 UM Roundtable: Step Therapy
On August 17, CSC held a virtual Utilization Management roundtable discussion of step therapy, to provide tools for those impacted by step therapy to help them navigate their individual circumstances and share resources on how all stakeholders can advocate for meaningful reform. The event was moderated by Cancer Support Community and featured presentations from the following experts:
- Dr. Harsha Vyas, MD, FACP | Consultant Hematologist Oncologist, Cancer Center of Middle Georgia & National Co-Medical Director of Patient Advocacy, Community Oncology Alliance
- Sarah Buchanan | Director of Federal Government Relations & Health Policy, National Psoriasis Foundation
- Elif Andac-Jones, PhD | Senior Director of Research, Cancer Support Community
In addition to putting patient lives and health outcomes at risk, step therapy leads to increased costs across the health system, including for the health insurers implementing such protocols.
Utilization Management Webinar: Step Therapy
On August 17, we held a virtual roundtable discussion of step therapy in which we convened patients, advocates, caregivers, providers, industry, payers, and other stakeholders for a discussion on the impact of step therapy. The discussion provided…
Unfortunately, now nearly every payer has some form of step therapy, trying to lead patients to lower-cost medication, instead of taking into account the doctor-patient discussion or why a certain medication was prescribed.
2023 UM Roundtable: Prior Authorization
On May 15th, CSC hosted a virtual roundtable focused on the impact of prior authorization and educating advocates for improving prior authorization with guest speakers:
- Christina Bach, MBE, LCSW, OSW-C, FAOSW | Educational Content Specialist and Psychosocial Content Editor at Oncolink and a CSC Helpline Financial Navigator
- Casey Chollet-Lipscomb, MD | Radiation Oncologist
- Peggy Tighe, J.D. | Powers Law
Utilization Management Webinar: Prior Authorization
CSC began its 2023 Utilization Management virtual roundtable series on May 1, 2023, with a discussion of the impact of prior authorization and how to educate advocates about how to improve prior authorization. Our panel of experts addressed how…
2022 Utilization Management Summit
The Cancer Support Community hosted its 4th Annual Utilization Management (UM) Summit on December 1, 2022. We were joined by Congressman Larry Bucshon, M.D., between the two panels to discuss the Improving Senior’s Timely Access to Care Act. Panel 1 allowed us to look back at the evolution and advocacy efforts in high deductible health plans, pharmacy benefit managers, and the use of QALYs in measuring value. Panel 1 featured:
- Cynthia Cox | Vice President, Kaiser Family Foundation
- Greg Gierer | Vice President of Policy and Research, Better Medicare Alliance
- Sara van Geertruyden, Executive Director | Partnership to Improve Patient Care
Panel 2 focused on the year ahead with the future of legislation like the Help Ensure Lower Patient Copays Act, the Safe Step Act, and the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act. Panelists:
- Rachel Klein| Deputy Executive Director, The AIDS Institute
- Sarah Buchanan | Director of Federal Government Relations and Health Policy, National Psoriasis Foundation
- Bonnie Duffy | Convenor, MAPRx
Utilization Management Summit 2022
The Cancer Support Community hosted its 4th Annual Utilization Management (UM) Summit on December 1, 2022. This year’s Summit gathered patients, patient advocates, providers, industry, payers, and other stakeholders for a virtual summit. We were…
2022 UM Roundtable: Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Laboratory Benefit Managers
On October 22, 2022, CSC’s Cancer Policy Institute hosted a webinar focused on the roles of Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Laboratory Benefit Managers with guest speakers:
- Adam Borden | American Clinical Laboratory Association
- Greg Gierer | Better Medicare Alliance
- Rachel Klein | The Aids Institute
Utilization Management Webinar: Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Laboratory Benefit Managers
CSC’s Cancer Policy Institute hosted a webinar focused on the roles of Pharmacy Benefit Managers and Laboratory Benefit Managers with guest speakers Adam Borden from the American Clinical Laboratory Association, Greg Gierer from Better Medicare…
2022 UM Roundtable: Appeals
In April 2022, CSC’s Cancer Policy Institute hosted a webinar focused on the health insurance appeals process with guest speakers:
- Monica Bryant | Triage Cancer
- Aimee Hoch | Cancer Support Community
- Mary Kwei | Maryland Insurance Administration
Utilization Management Roundtable: Appeals
CSC’s Cancer Policy Institute hosted a webinar focused on the health insurance appeals process with guest speakers: Monica Bryant, Triage CancerAimee Hoch, Cancer Support CommunityMary Kwei, Maryland Insurance Administration