A virtual oncology center of excellence is a cancer care model that delivers high-quality, specialized, cancer expertise remotely and extends that expertise into the patient's local care through direct clinical action.

An oncology center of excellence is associated with specialized cancer expertise, evidence-based care, multidisciplinary review, and treatment planning. A virtual model makes that expertise available regardless of geography while allowing patients to receive tests, procedures, and treatment locally.

Why It Matters

Traditional oncology centers of excellence can be valuable, but access is often limited by location, referral pathways, travel, cost, and time away from work. A virtual oncology center of excellence can help bring specialist-level guidance to employees and members who may not live near a major cancer center.

This matters for employers and health plans because cancer care decisions are high-cost and time-sensitive. Better access to oncology expertise can support more consistent care, fewer delays, and a more equitable benefit experience.

How an oncology center of excellence works

A virtual oncology center of excellence typically includes:

• Specialist-level clinical oversight: Oncology clinicians review diagnoses, treatment plans, symptoms, and follow-up needs.

• Multidisciplinary review: Tumor board input and subspecialist consultation help address complex decisions.

• Evidence-based standards: Care is aligned to guidelines and quality processes.

• Local peer-to-peer collaboration: The virtual team places orders and referrals, reviews results, and works peer-to-peer with local oncologists, primary care clinicians, imaging centers, labs, and specialists.

• Clinical and whole-person care: Care extends to symptoms, mental health, nutrition, financial strain, survivorship, and return to work.

Color is the first virtual cancer clinic to receive ASCO certification. Color's clinicians can diagnose, order tests, prescribe, manage symptoms, review treatment plans, and provide longitudinal care while patients continue treatment with their local teams.

Oncology Center of Excellence in the Context of Employee Benefits

Employers may use a virtual oncology center of excellence to expand access to high-quality cancer expertise without requiring every employee to travel to a designated facility. This can be especially important for dispersed workforces, rural populations, shift workers, and employees balancing treatment with work and caregiving responsibilities.

Benefits leaders should evaluate whether a virtual model has patient-facing oncologists, authority to order and prescribe, multidisciplinary review, 24/7 symptom management, peer-to-peer access for treating clinicians, and measurable clinical and financial outcomes.

Key Takeaways

• A virtual oncology center of excellence brings specialized cancer expertise to members remotely while allowing testing, procedures, and treatment to remain local.

• It can improve access for employees who would otherwise face geography, cost, or scheduling barriers.

• Color's ASCO-certified model combines national access with a medical group that can act directly on screening, diagnosis, treatment, symptoms, and survivorship needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is a virtual oncology center of excellence a replacement for a local oncologist?
A: No. It adds subspecialty review, tumor board input, test and referral orders, symptom management, and peer-to-peer clinical work while the local oncologist continues to deliver treatment.

Q: How is a virtual oncology center of excellence different from a traditional cancer center?
A: A traditional center is location-based. A virtual model brings subspecialty expertise and clinical action to the patient, while local facilities provide imaging, procedures, infusions, radiation, and surgery.

Q: Why would an employer choose a virtual oncology center of excellence?
A: Employers may choose a virtual model to expand access, reduce travel barriers, support faster clinical action, and provide consistent oncology expertise across a distributed workforce.

Learn how Color brings ASCO-certified cancer care to members in every community.