The University of Chicago Medicine and Aetna will collaborate to create an oncology medical home designed to improve the care experience for cancer patients. 

“The University of Chicago Medicine is excited to be working with a forward-thinking payer like Aetna to explore a more innovative payment model for cancer care,” gastrointestinal cancer specialist Blase Polite, MD, associate professor of medicine at the medical center, said in a release. “We all agree we must move from a volume-based system to one based on quality and value of care for our patients, their families and their employers. This payment model is a step in that direction and we look forward to working with Aetna to help refine what we see as a model for the future of cancer care payment.”

About 5.8 million Aetna members receive value-based care, with approximately 30 percent of Aetna claims payments going to doctors and providers who practice value-based care. Aetna has committed to increasing that number to 50 percent by 2018 and 75 percent by 2020.

“We understand that cancer treatment can be the hardest experience that our members will ever have to go through,” said Michael Kolodziej, MD, Aetna’s national medical director for Oncology Solutions. “This oncology medical home with the University of Chicago Medicine will help give our members optimal care and an optimal patient experience.”

The oncology medical home arrangement began on July 1.