Aetna Selects New Century Health to Launch a National Program in Cancer Care Quality Management

HARTFORD, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Aetna AET announced today it has selected New Century Health (NCH), a leader in specialty care management, as a preferred national solution partner for oncology. Under the agreement, NCH will provide advanced clinical decision tools, specialized medical expertise and data analytics to help physicians make cancer treatment decisions for Aetna members.

The cancer care management landscape in the U.S. is in a state of dynamic and rapid change. With continual advances in precision medicine, the introduction of new therapies and an increased focus on quality, patients urgently need coordinated, value-based care. Cancer care stakeholders, particularly health plans and providers, are interested in finding effective strategies to reduce the financial pressures placed on patients by escalating cancer care costs.

"We've explored a variety of approaches focused on increasing cancer care quality, experimenting with new payment systems and enhancing value," said Michael Kolodziej, MD, Aetna's national medical director of oncology solutions. "This initiative with New Century Health is an important part of our goal to help physicians deliver evidence-based, affordable care to Aetna members. We believe this strategic alliance will lead to improved patient outcomes and lower costs."

New Century Health's comprehensive oncology quality management program uses technology to ensure patients receive coordinated, efficient and cost-effective cancer care. The program combines evidence-based cancer guidelines, real-time treatment prior authorization systems and consultative medical expertise with innovative clinical decision support and quality benchmarking tools.

"We are excited by Aetna's vision for quality and value-based care," said Dr. Atul Dhir, New Century Health's chief executive officer. "As the preferred oncology solution provider, we will aid Aetna's network of specialty physicians by providing the tools, technology and clinical expertise to help deliver high quality and cost-effective care."

About Aetna

Aetna is one of the nation's leading diversified health care benefits companies, serving an estimated 46.5 million people with information and resources to help them make better informed decisions about their health care. Aetna offers a broad range of traditional, voluntary and consumer-directed health insurance products and related services, including medical, pharmacy, dental, behavioral health, group life and disability plans, and medical management capabilities, Medicaid health care management services, workers' compensation administrative services and health information technology products and services. Aetna's customers include employer groups, individuals, college students, part-time and hourly workers, health plans, health care providers, governmental units, government-sponsored plans, labor groups and expatriates. For more information, see www.aetna.com and learn about how Aetna is helping to build a healthier world. @AetnaNews

About New Century Health

New Century Health is the national leader in helping patients with cancer and cardiovascular disease receive the highest quality, cost-effective treatments. New Century Health works with Health Plans and Specialist Providers to ensure compliance to evidence-based clinical standards through the use of technology and clinical data driven decision making. Health Plans, Provider Groups and ACOs across the country partner with New Century Health to provide better care for millions of Medicare, Commercial and Medicaid members. To learn more about New Century Health, please visit www.newcenturyhealth.com.

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