The NCCN Compendium for Cancer Management

Early in 2008, American Health & Drug Benefits asked Dr Bill McGivney to discuss the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Drugs and Biologics Compendium and guidelines, which represent the evaluation of current evidence on cancer management and the integration of expert judgment in a consensus fashion by oncologists from National Comprehensive Cancer Network institutions. Several advantages that may explain the increasing popularity and acceptance of the Compendium and the guidelines are the authoritative nature of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network experts, the rapid updates, and the free online access. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services reference the guidelines specifically on coverage questions related to oncology and is currently evaluating whether to recognize the Compendium as a basis for Medicare coverage decisions for cancer patients. A decision is expected in June 2008. In January 2008, UnitedHealthcare announced that it would be using the Compendium as a basis for their coverage decisions for patients with cancer, a fact that may influence other private health insurance companies to follow suit. In this interview, Dr McGivney discusses some of the unique features of the guidelines and the Compendium and what differentiates them from available guidelines and compendia of other cancer organizations, including the American Society of Clinical Oncology.