Manhattan Beach, Calif. (July 5, 2016) – Anthem Blue Cross of California and Valley Radiotherapy Associates Medical Group (VRA) have developed a new agreement for a single episode-of-care payment for patients with a breast cancer diagnosis requiring radiation therapy treatment.
The case rate covers all radiation therapy services provided to the patient for the treatment of breast cancer. The case rate agreement, effective May 15, creates opportunities for efficiencies and long-term price predictability for Anthem, long-term revenue predictability for Valley Radiotherapy Associates Medical Group, and the ability to better manage the total cost of care for radiation therapy services for Anthem’s members.
“Vantage is helping to lead the way with new payment models for radiation therapy,” said Dr. Jennifer Malin, vice president of Clinical Strategy at Anthem, Inc. “We hope to build on this approach to provide our members with cancer more options for high-quality, patient-centered, value-based care.”
Leslie Botnick, M.D., president of VRA and chief medical officer and co-founder of Vantage Oncology agrees, saying: “In our practices, women receive optimal care in a clinically appropriate time period.”
This agreement signifies the first step in progressing to value-based payment from the traditional fee-for-service model, demonstrating a commitment on both organizations’ parts to support quality care with improved outcomes and patient experience at a sustainable cost.
About Valley Radiotherapy Associates Medical Group, Inc.
Founded in 1983 by Leslie E. Botnick, M.D., and Christopher M. Rose, M.D., Valley Radiotherapy Associates Medical Group, Inc. (VRA) of Manhattan Beach, California, has 32 board-certified Radiation Oncologists and provides advanced radiation therapy services to communities at 16 hospitals and freestanding centers in Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, Imperial and San Bernardino Counties in California. VRA has distinguished itself during the past 33 years as one of the premier radiation oncology groups in the nation with a proven record of excellence in clinical treatment, superiority in service delivery and technical acumen to develop new cancer treatment programs. For more information, visit www.valley-radiotherapy.com.
About Vantage Oncology
Founded in October 2002, Manhattan Beach, California-based Vantage Oncology, LLC is a leading national provider of radiation oncology, medical oncology and other value-based integrated cancer care services and is owned by McKesson Specialty Health. The company’s founding principles were to address the growing need among cancer patients, hospitals and physicians for accessible and advanced cancer treatments. Vantage currently operates 50 treatment facilities in 13 states. For more information about Vantage, visit www.vantageoncology.com.