From Joanie Manzo, R.N., B.S.N., with OHC
June 19, 2018
Joanie Manzo, R.N., B.S.N., with OHC
We often hear the words “independent” and “hospital-based” doctors. What does that mean and where does OHC fit in? OHC is an independent group of doctors, which means they are not owned by a hospital system. OHC runs its own practice and has control over the decisions that are made in how care is delivered in OHC offices. Hospital-based means a doctor is employed by a hospital and is managed by that hospital, therefore his/her practice is operated by the hospital.
These definitions are important as research has recently been released by Xcenda, a global consulting group, who looked at how the cost of cancer care differs between these two groups, independent (community based) and hospital-based. What they found is patients receiving care from a hospital-based doctor practice experience higher costs than the independent cancer doctor practice.
Chemotherapy costs and physician office visits were significantly higher. One interesting finding was patients visiting a hospital-based doctor were seen in the emergency department (ED) more often than an independent doctor. This can also contribute to higher costs for the patient.
At OHC, we believe delivering high quality – the best care for our patients – means developing programs that keep our patients healthy and prevent unnecessary visits to the ED and unnecessary costs. Our “Call Us Early. Call Us First.” program was started three years ago and it is working. We are beating the national averages for keeping patients out of the ED and the hospital, by getting them care immediately when they have symptoms and questions about their treatment.
“This is why OHC continues to lead the way with the creation of new and innovative programs that are reducing the cost of cancer care,” said Randy Broun, MD, medical oncologist and President and Chairman of the Board at OHC. “At the same time, OHC is surpassing national benchmarks for patient satisfaction and quality of care with our Oncology Care Model.”
At OHC, we deliver exceptional care and recognize illness can be expensive. We are working together to make sure you receive high quality that is value based – the right care, at the right place, at the right time.
