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Strategic Thyme Care partnership strengthens AON’s leadership in value-based care innovation while improving patient experience and reducing costs

FORT MYERS, Fla., April 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Oncology Network (AON), one of the nation’s fastest-growing community oncology networks, today announced strong results from the first performance period in the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation’s (CMMI) Enhancing Oncology Model (EOM). AON practices participating in the program—in collaboration with value-based cancer care enabler Thyme Care—achieved nearly $6M in cost savings for the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). AON also earned a performance-based payment while improving patient experience and outcomes.

“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 Dr. Stephen “Fred” Divers. “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.”

The results build on AON’s proven track record in value-based care, following its success in the Oncology Care Model (OCM), the predecessor to EOM, where AON practices saw significant improvements in patient outcomes and a 2.6% decrease in expenditures compared with other OCM participants. Now in the EOM, AON practices represent approximately 10% of the total EOM population, highlighting the network’s leadership in advancing value-based oncology care.

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, improving the overall care experience and outcomes. Every patient interaction was documented and shared among providers and care teams, ensuring 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 electronic health records (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.
  
  

• 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.