The association between clinical trial participation, drug costs, and performance in the Oncology Care Model (OCM)

It has long been assumed that academic oncology practices are disadvantaged in value-based payment programs, due to patient complexity and research costs. This assumption not been tested. The Oncology Care Model (OCM) was a Medicare alternative payment model, which sought to curb costs while improving care. We assessed the impact of clinical trial (CT) participation on two outcomes: 1. cost and 2. practice performance among three participating NCI designated cancer centers using a random effects meta-analysis. The mean total Medicare cost per episode was $42,225 for CT episodes and $34,937 for non-CT episodes. Despite higher total costs, CT episodes were more likely to be under spending targets than non-CT episodes (odds ratio 0.37 (CI 0.25, 0.48). Drug costs in CT episodes were lower than in non-CT episodes, although this was only statistically significant at the largest volume practice. In conclusion, CTs may offer an advantage in value-based programs.