Centralizing oncology drug authorizations: Geisinger’s partnership with OncoHealth drives efficiency and savings
Authors: Jessie Bitler and Kimberly Clark
OncoHealth began overseeing Geisinger Health Plan’s Medicare Part B oncology drug prior authorizations for non-Geisinger providers on May 23, 2024. This initial implementation represented a strategic advancement in optimizing the approval process for oncology therapies, yielding appropriate, efficient, cost-effective care for Geisinger members. The transition marked a significant step toward streamlining complex authorization workflows in a high-cost, high-impact therapeutic area.
On Oct. 1, 2024, the program expanded to encompass Commercial, Exchange and CHIP lines of business. This broadened scope enhanced operational consistency and administrative efficiency across more lines of business, reducing variability and improving turnaround times for authorization decisions. Then, on Dec. 2, 2024, the Medicaid line of business was transitioned to OncoHealth, completing the transition of prior authorizations for medical oncology drugs. This full integration allowed for a unified approach to oncology drug management across all coverage types.
The integration of OncoHealth continued to evolve in 2025. On Jan. 1, 2025, Geisinger providers were incorporated into the program, allowing all participating providers to benefit from a unified, centralized system for managing oncology drug authorizations.
This expansion enabled optimized workflows for the health plan, reduced administrative burden for providers, and created additional opportunities for cost savings.
Further expansion occurred on April 1, 2025, when OncoHealth assumed responsibility for prior authorizations of oncology drugs under the pharmacy benefit. This extension applied to all lines of business and further streamlined care for Geisinger members and patients. By consolidating both medical and pharmacy benefit authorizations under a single vendor, Geisinger improved coordination and reduced delays in therapy initiation.
As of June 2025, delegating oncology drug authorizations to OncoHealth has generated $8,572,962.45 in savings. Geisinger Health Plan’s partnership with OncoHealth will continue to result in additional savings over time, while maintaining high standards for clinical appropriateness and patient access. The program’s success demonstrates the value of centralized, expert-driven authorization management in complex therapeutic areas.
Looking ahead, Geisinger and OncoHealth plan to explore further enhancements, including predictive analytics, real-time benefit tools and expanded provider education to support optimal prescribing and utilization. These efforts will help oncology patients receive timely, evidence-based therapies while supporting the financial sustainability of care delivery.
