“You can have your car in any color you want, as long as it’s black.”
Although Henry Ford’s assembly line was a boon to manufacturing and cranked out armies of affordable cars, we’d balk if a dealership told us the same thing today. There are so many options and, after all, it is our car.
If having a voice and a choice when buying a car is important, it’s critical when you’re battling cancer. It’s why OHC places their patients at the center of the conversation while offering the best opportunities for the best care at the best price.
“We have the flexibility to collaborate with providers across the region who understand and are aligned with our purpose to provide high quality, value-based care. We can do this because we’re an independent practice,” says Randy Drosick, M.D., OHC Medical Oncologist and Hematologist.
Being independent and physician-owned also allows OHC to prioritize patients over politics, and care over costs. There is no assembly line mentality at OHC. Every treatment plan is personalized for each patient’s individual cancer condition. OHC’s doctors, advanced practice providers, nurses, pharmacists, research team, educators and financial navigators take the time to educate and understand each patient’s medical, financial and emotional needs.
This flexibility lets OHC develop innovative programs such as, “Call Us Early – Call Us First,” a nationally recognized triage program to address cancer patient symptoms immediately and, in its first year, reduce unnecessary patient hospitalizations by 16 percent. OHC also works with payers to improve quality and reduce cost. It is one of only 176 practices selected nationwide for the Oncology Care Model. These are just some of the initiatives OHC has been able to develop and implement seamlessly to help build a stronger and healthier community for cancer patients.
Dr. Drosick articulates three main benefits of OHC’s unique position as an independent, community-based cancer practice in a crowded and often confusing world of providers.
“Number one, we don’t have to worry about the political ramifications of taking care of patients. We are not tied to one group because we are not employed by a health system. This is a significant differentiator. Second, as physician owners, we are directly responsible for everything that happens in our office. Anything that happens in my office is a direct reflection of me, so the high-quality care I provide is the same high-quality care my nurses, advanced practice providers, medical assistants and front desk provide. Third is that for every dollar you spend in my office, it’s estimated by the federal government that you’re going to spend $1.80 with an oncologist employed by a hospital system. It doesn’t mean you receive lesser care at OHC. It means you’re getting the very best care that happens to be at a lower price. You receive Cadillac service at a Chevy price.”
In addition to the benefits of being independent, OHC strategically aligns with key partners like The US Oncology Network (USON) to support the medical professionals at OHC so they can help patients focus on what matters most: beating cancer. These alliances are curated to produce not only remarkable medical outcomes, but compassionate and cost-effective care along the way. Although efficient and compassionate may typically mix like oil and vinegar, not at OHC.
“US Oncology provides management support for the non-clinical, business services and helps with overall practice management,” says Paul Dieter, OHC’s Executive Director. “It also allows OHC to access other experts from around the country in addition to our local team. With USON’s national network of more than 2,000 independent cancer physicians in more than 400 locations, there is a collaborative resource that occurs on a physician and management level. We’re able to share and access best practices from both a treatment and operational standpoint.”
This partnership translates into tangible cost savings and the ability to remain at the forefront of leading edge therapies. For example, implementing industry-leading, oncology-specific IT applications creates countless opportunities to offer the right treatment at the right price. Best practice sharing provides a foundation for the best care. Most recently, OHC was able to introduce CAR-T therapy to the Tri-State, ushering in a new frontier in the fight against cancer.
Since battling cancer is not something anyone would choose, it’s empowering to know that OHC isn’t focused on where a doctor works, but on what works for our patients. This helps keep their patients in the driver’s seat in more ways than one.
OHC is headquartered at 5053 Wooster Road, Cincinnati, OH 45226. To learn more, visit www.ohcare.com or call 1.888.649.4800