Elevating the standard of care: Impact of a regimen-level prior authorization tool on provider adherence to clinical guidelines.

Abstract

e19235 Background: New developments in oncology therapy continue to grow in complexity, fueling a dramatically rising cost of care. Traditional care models present opportunities to streamline plan sponsor management efforts, expedite therapy, and improve health outcomes. Studies suggest adherence to evidence-based standards results in higher quality care. Current plan sponsor management platforms match medical policy to individual drugs, not to combination therapy regimens and lack real-time access to standard treatment guidelines. 70% of precertification requests are submitted via antiquated, cumbersome methods such as paper and fax. Methods: CVS Health/Aetna developed a comprehensive oncology solution featuring an enterprise web-based clinical decision support prior authorization tool (Novologix) at the regimen level to reduce administrative burden and support quality care. Novologix regimens were updated via collaboration with the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) evidence-based guidelines. Groups also entered a value-based payment (VBP) model to help support quality of care by promoting adherence to NCCN guidelines when clinically appropriate and tool utilization. Eligible members were Commercial, fully-insured members newly diagnosed with breast, colorectal, or lung cancer. Providers were offered dedicated, individual training sessions to provide education on the Novologix tool. NCCN-aligned regimens requested through the platform were automatically certified. Any non-NCCN aligned regimens received accelerated medical review by a board-certified medical oncologist with the option for an external peer-to-peer review upon denial. Providers received ongoing quality and cost of care reporting. Results: Primary in progress. N of precertification requests submitted via Novologix ( 28 requests as of 1/23/2020) - (will include graph displaying N of requests by month). N of regimens submitted via Novologix that were automatically certified (46% as of 1/23). Avg turnaround times for modified regimen requests requiring clinical review (TBD). Avg % adherence to NCCN guidelines (100% as of 1/23/20) Secondary: Total cost of care (preliminary/other leading indicator). Conclusions: By engaging oncology practices through an enhanced payer-provider collaboration and implementing an automated regimen-level precertification process we can facilitate higher-quality oncology care. Future studies will be needed to measure the impact of this program on total cost of care.