Policy, Access, and Value of Immuno-Oncology Initiative

While momentum around immunotherapies for cancer continues to build, the high cost of these therapies places them at the center of debate about how best to define and measure value in cancer care. As these therapies are increasingly integrated into practice it is imperative that all stakeholders—providers, patients, payers, and manufacturers—keep pace with emerging developments and real-world challenges. As highlighted in the ICLIO whitepaper, Immuno-Oncology: There’s More to Discover, top-level concerns for the future of immunotherapy in practice, include the following:

• Payer and coverage policies continue to pose barriers to access to immunotherapies for cancer.
• Recognition and management of immune-related adverse events continue to create additional expense and resource requirements across the continuum of care. 
• Alternative payment models (APMs) focused on value-based reimbursement must include input and buy-in from the oncology community.

Information and education are critical to identifying, understanding, and overcoming barriers to accessing innovative therapies. The ICLIO Policy, Access, and Value of Immuno-Oncology initiative is developing information that will help in monitoring availability of I-O agents and addressing policies and processes that impact access to immunotherapy.

Highlights from the ACCC Institute for Clinical Immuno-Oncology Policy Summit

On August 18, invited stakeholders representing all segments of the oncology community convened in Washington, D.C., for the ICLIO Policy Summit. Participants discussed evolving policy issues impacting the use of and access to immuno-oncology therapies. Read top-line takeaways. View our videos for highlights from the policy summit participants.

In advance of the policy summit, to help inform the discussion, ICLIO conducted an environmental scan and a policy, access, and value survey.

• Environmental Scan The ICLIO environmental scan reviewed the current landscape of immuno-oncology: the key barriers, the potential impact of healthcare policy and reimbursement changes, and the opportunities to improve patient access.
• Policy, Access, and Value Survey ICLIO conducted brief survey to better understand the access barriers, issues, and concerns surrounding immuno-oncology. Survey results will be used by oncology stakeholders to foster discussion with the aim of developing potential solutions to patient access barriers. The survey focused on four key areas:
  • Clinical and Policy Issues in Immuno-Oncology (IO)
  • Oncology Care Model (OCM) and Alternative Payment Models (APMs)
  • Application and Impact of Quality Measures
  • Payer/Managed Care Organizations (MCO) Management of Immuno-Oncology