Medically Integrated Dispensing in Oncology

Community-based oncology practices are increasingly dispensing oral anticancer drugs directly in their practices as these drugs proliferate and replace the intravenous (IV) agents that have historically been a significant source of practice revenue. This study will use claims data from Anthem to characterize trends in integrated dispensing of oral anticancer drugs since 2008 and investigate how integrated dispensing affects oncologists’ choice of oral vs. IV therapy, total spending and patient out-of-pocket spending. Findings are expected to inform health plans and policymakers about how to best manage integrated dispensing and refine coordinated care models.