The Number of Non-Hospital–Affiliated Oncology Centers Continues to Decline

A report from the Community Oncology Alliance (COA) found that in the past two years, an average of 3.5 community oncology practices have closed per month. Closures of non-hospital–affiliated oncology centers have been on the rise in the past decade: Since 2008, 1,653 community oncology clinics or practices have closed, been acquired by hospitals, undergone corporate mergers, or struggled financially, according to the report.

In addition, since 2008, 658 practices have been acquired by hospitals, which the report calls a “dramatic shift” of community cancer care into the more expensive hospital setting.

Since the previous COA report was released in 2016, there has been an 11.3% increase in the number of community cancer closures and an 8% increase in the number of hospital setting consolidations. But, the report indicates that the trend has slowed.

Read the full report here.

Source: Medscape Hematology-oncology Headlines