Insurers Give Short Shrift to ASCO Pathways Recommendation

The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) task force recommended that insurers allow oncologists to choose a single cancer care pathway program for all patients to reduce administrative burdens. However, this suggestion was met with resistance from insurers like Anthem and Aetna, who argued that harmonizing pathways across different payers was unrealistic due to regional variations and differing priorities. The task force highlighted the administrative challenges faced by oncology practices due to multiple payer-specific pathways, which can lead to increased complexity and potential medical errors. While some payers allow practices to choose their pathway programs, others mandate specific ones, often linked to financial incentives. The ASCO policy statement also included recommendations for transparency, comprehensive cancer care coverage, patient autonomy, and certification of pathway programs, which received mixed support from stakeholders. Overall, the document emphasized the need for collaboration between payers and providers to streamline pathway programs and reduce variability in cancer care.