SAN RAFAEL, Calif., Jan. 24 /PRNewswire/ -- Anticipating the growing needs of physicians following the impending changes to Medicare reimbursement, National Oncology Alliance (NOA), a customer-based network of community oncologists, has enhanced the functionality of its NOA Treatment Guidelines(TM) with the addition of NOA Compare(TM). An in-depth comparison tool that provides an unparalleled level of regimen analysis for cancer treatments, NOA Compare is expected to assist oncologists with economically streamlining their businesses while maintaining the highest standards of patient care.
Efficiently evaluating the various treatment regimens available for a given diagnosis is complicated by the fact that most therapies involve multiple drug choices. NOA Compare provides practices with a side-by-side comparison of clinical efficacy, toxicity, relative costs and calculated reimbursement potential for the different treatment options. Oncologists can use the data to explain courses of therapy to their patients as well as forecast the potential financial impact of the various options.
With direct links to quarterly updated 2005 average sales price data and regular updates to evidence-based clinical information, the addition of NOA Compare to the NOA Treatment Guidelines provides comprehensive support for an oncology practice’s treatment decisions.
“With approximately 50 percent of a practice’s patients covered by Medicare, the changes to reimbursement in 2005 will force oncology practices to focus more attention on the economic impact of their treatment decisions,” said Kim Bergstrom, vice president of NOA’s clinical services. “Our goal is to provide physicians with an easy-to-use, intuitive tool that would help them to continue to deliver the highest quality of patient care, while ensuring that their practices remain financially viable.”
NOA Treatment Guidelines are a set of nationally recognized, evidence-based standards that provide community-based oncology practices with current information on clinical management of more than 95 percent of the cancer types treated in the office setting. Oncologists use these guidelines to remain current on constantly evolving cancer treatments and reimbursement guidelines, and to serve as an objective standard against which to measure quality of care in their practices.
Other tools available with the NOA Treatment Guidelines include: * Summaries, analyses and links to the abstracts of supporting primary literature, including studies of off-label uses, for use in clinical decision-making and reimbursement justification. * NOA Clinical Research Network, with synopses of relevant clinical trials. * Downloadable patient drug monographs, a new and unique feature to help patients better understand and participate in their own care.
“The NOA Treatment Guidelines serve as concrete standards for oncology practices to use in establishing consistent, quality patient care,” said Kevin Rodondi, senior vice president and general manager of NOA. “This helps practices manage clinical information and care processes more effectively, collect objective data to substantiate their interactions with payers, and achieve the ultimate priority of providing the best possible outcomes for their patients.”
NOA Compare will be provided free of charge to NOA customers. A free online demo of NOA Compare can be scheduled by contacting NOA Customer Services at (866) 466-2462.
About National Oncology Alliance
National Oncology Alliance (NOA; San Rafael, Calif.) is a nationwide, customer-based support network of independent, community oncology practices acquired by Broadlane in November 2004. NOA’s services address the constantly evolving needs of its customers, including negotiation of competitive drug pricing, business management support and industry-leading clinical practice tools. More information about NOA can be found at http://www.noainc.com/.
About Broadlane
Broadlane delivers transformational business services to healthcare providers, enabling them to reduce costs and improve operational performance. Through the application of innovative technology and sustainable solutions that range from consulting to full-service management, Broadlane is helping to set new standards for efficient healthcare delivery. These solutions include strategic sourcing, clinical and operational consulting, equipment lifecycle management, procurement management, and labor services.
Broadlane counts among its customers more than 875 acute care hospitals, more than 2,800 sub-acute care facilities and almost 12,000 physician practices. Broadlane is headquartered in San Francisco and has additional offices in California, New York, Ohio and Texas. For more information, visit http://www.broadlane.com/.
Media Contacts: Jill Hoffman/Marcy Pozzi FischerHealth 310-577-7870 ext: 113/151 jhoffman@fischerhealth.com/ mpozzi@fischerhealth.com
National Oncology Alliance
CONTACT: Jill Hoffman, ext. 113, jhoffman@fischerhealth.com or MarcyPozzi, ext. 151, mpozzi@fischerhealth.com both of FischerHealth,+1-310-577-7870, for National Oncology Alliance
Web site: http://www.broadlane.com/
Web site: http://www.fischerhealth.com/