Humana Expands Value-Based Oncology Care Through New Agreement with Thyme Care

Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM), a leading health and well-being company, has announced a new value-based care agreement with Thyme Care to provide comprehensive cancer care support for eligible Humana Medicare Advantage members. This collaboration aims to enhance patient health outcomes and quality of life while helping to make healthcare more affordable and accessible.

Thyme Care's 24/7 virtual care navigation and data-driven insights will enable Humana to provide a holistic, patient-centered model designed to improve patient health outcomes and quality of life while helping to make healthcare more affordable and accessible. The program is now available to eligible Humana Medicare Advantage members in seven states: Michigan, New York, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Key services include:

* 24/7 virtual care navigation with dedicated oncology care teams
* Community support for resources like financial assistance and transportation
* Coordinated care between oncologists, primary care physicians, and specialists

The initiative focuses on reducing care gaps, minimizing unnecessary expenses, and providing comprehensive support for cancer patients while managing treatment complexities and costs. Humana's new value-based oncology care agreement with Thyme Care represents a strategic expansion of its alternative payment model approach into high-cost cancer care, potentially addressing a significant expense category within its Medicare Advantage business.

Thyme Care's services have shown a reduction in total costs per month for navigated patients compared to a control group. Specifically, the services have resulted in a $594 reduction in total costs per month for navigated patients. This reduction is likely due to the proactive management of symptoms and the prevention of hospitalizations.

Thyme Care's services have also been shown to reduce the rate of emergency department visits and hospitalizations for cancer patients. By addressing symptoms early and providing support and education, Thyme Care helps patients manage their conditions more effectively, reducing the need for emergency care.

In terms of improved outcomes, Thyme Care's services have been shown to improve patient satisfaction and quality of life. By providing personalized support and education, Thyme Care helps patients better understand and manage their conditions, leading to improved outcomes and a better overall experience.

Humana's partnership with Thyme Care aligns with its broader strategy of differentiating its Medicare Advantage offerings through enhanced care management capabilities. By providing comprehensive cancer care support, Humana can attract and retain more members, ultimately growing its market share.

Humana's oncology care partnership with Thyme Care addresses a critical gap in cancer treatment delivery by implementing a proactive, high-touch support system that extends well beyond traditional medical visits. From a clinical perspective, this model targets several key failure points in conventional cancer care, including symptom management between appointments, medication adherence challenges, care fragmentation between specialists, and social determinants that directly impact survival rates and treatment completion.



Humana's new value-based oncology care agreement with Thyme Care could enhance its Medicare Advantage star ratings through improved member satisfaction and clinical outcomes, potentially qualifying for quality bonuses that significantly impact revenue. The partnership represents a significant strategic development in healthcare service optimization, with the integration of radiation and surgical oncology services into their existing medical oncology partnership creating a comprehensive cancer care management system.

Humana's strategic expansion into high-cost cancer care through its partnership with Thyme Care demonstrates its commitment to improving healthcare outcomes and affordability for its Medicare Advantage members. By addressing the economics of cancer treatment, Humana can potentially realize several financial benefits, including reduced acute care utilization, lower pharmacy costs, decreased out-of-network leakage, and improved risk adjustment accuracy.