Cancer Doesn't Stop at 5 PM: Rebuilding Oncology Around the Patient

Cancer care has made extraordinary clinical progress, but too many patients still fall through the cracks once they leave the clinic. In this episode of Boombostic Health, Bradley Bostic sits down with Dr. Justin Bekelman, oncologist, co-founder, and CEO of Daymark Health, to discuss how value-based oncology can create a better care model for patients, providers, and health plans. After more than two decades at Penn Medicine, Dr. Bekelman left to build Daymark Health, a company that supports patients receiving active cancer treatment through in-home and virtual care. Daymark partners with health plans and works alongside each patient's oncology team to address clinical, behavioral, and social needs when and where they arise.  The conversation explores why fee-for-service often fails to support the full cancer journey, why oncology is especially suited for value-based care, and why better care requires more than coordination. It requires the ability to act. As Dr. Bekelman explains, "Cancer doesn't stop at five o'clock."  Timestamps 00:00 Welcome and personal connection to cancer prevention 03:01 Dr. Bekelman's background and why patients still fall through the cracks 05:30 What value-based care means in oncology 07:28 Why supportive cancer care is under-reimbursed in fee-for-service 09:17 How Daymark Health partners with health plans 10:32 Supporting patients at home, virtually, and at no additional cost 12:44 Episodic capitation, shared savings, and oncology economics 15:18 Why cancer care is well suited for value-based models 17:24 Daymark as the "connective tissue" around the oncologist 20:34 Why coordination alone is not enough 23:01 Daymark's work with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Rhode Island 24:08 Steven's story and why cancer does not stop at 5 PM 27:37 Patient experience, home visits, and measurable results 30:19 Why this model could become the standard for cancer care In this episode: Why cancer patients need support beyond the clinic How value-based care is being applied to oncology  Why Daymark works through health plan partnerships The difference between care coordination and clinical action How in-home care can help prevent avoidable complications Why behavioral health and social support matter in cancer treatment How better patient support can reduce total cost of care Why oncology may be one of the next major frontiers for value-based care