American Oncology Network Details Drivers of Success in Value-Based Model

American Oncology Network (AON) credited pharmacy interventions, comprehensive care navigation, and virtual palliative care support as key factors leading to its cost savings in the first performance period in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation’s Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM). 

Founded in 2018, AON’s network represents more than 290 providers practicing across 21 states. AON practices represent approximately 10% of the total EOM population.

AON said that in collaboration with value-based cancer care enabler Thyme Care it achieved nearly $6 million in cost savings for CMS. AON also earned a performance-based payment while improving patient experience and outcomes.

Here is how AON detailed some of its key drivers of success in the EOM program:

• Pharmacy interventions: Many cancer drugs have list prices exceeding $100,000 annually. AON’s oncologists and pharmacists lead the development and implementation of data-informed, patient-centric pharmacy interventions, in partnership with Thyme Care. These included drug waste minimization and therapeutic substitutions that reduced costs while maintaining clinical efficacy and improving adherence.


• Comprehensive care navigation: AON oncologists and clinic staff, supported by Thyme Care’s 24/7 virtual care navigation team—comprised of oncology nurses, social workers, and healthcare navigators – provided comprehensive care both in the clinic and between appointments. This proactive, wraparound approach identified patients’ clinical, emotional, logistical, and health equity needs. Every patient interaction was documented and shared among providers and care teams to ensure they had the right information at the right time to make informed decisions. 


• Real-time performance data: AON and Thyme Care used real-time analytics from EHR, electronic patient-reported outcomes (ePROs), admission-discharge-transfer (ADT) feeds, and claims data to quickly identify and address issues. By continuously reviewing performance data and refining care delivery, the team reduced avoidable emergency department visits and gained deeper insights into their performance in the EOM, AON said. 


• Virtual palliative care support: AON and Thyme Care provided virtual palliative care to help patients and caregivers manage physical and psychological symptoms, offering an additional layer of support throughout the cancer journey. This approach ensured patients received compassionate, patient-centered care aligned with their goals and values.

“Our first performance period in the EOM yielded a positive outcome, validating our approach to value-based cancer care and demonstrating the strength of our leadership team, clinic staff, and partnership with Thyme Care,” said AON Chief Medical Officer Stephen “Fred” Divers, in a statement.  “This achievement reinforces AON’s leadership in alternative payment models, and we’re excited to implement new strategies to further enhance our performance in future performance periods.”

In the first cohort of EOM, there are 36 practices and two payers participating. CMS has accepted a second round of applications for a new cohort of participants that will begin July 2025. CMS has also announced several refinements to the model’s policies, including:
• Increasing the base Monthly Enhanced Oncology Services (MEOS) payment amount from $70 per beneficiary per month to $110 per beneficiary per month;
• Raising the threshold for the point in which participants are required to pay back CMS to costs related to their patients’ care; and
• Extending the model by two years, until June 2030.