CMH inks new five-year agreement for cancer care

Citizens Memorial Hospital has signed a new pact to continue a long-held agreement with Salina, Kansas-based Central Care Cancer Center.

Tamera Heitz-Peek, CMH director of marketing, said via email that the new agreement spans five years. She declined to disclose financial terms.

CMH and Central Care Cancer Center have partnered to offer cancer services in Bolivar since 2005, according to a news release, and officials say the organizations' combined work led to the launch of the Carrie J. Babb Cancer Center in 2008.

“We value our long-standing partnership with Central Care in providing quality cancer care in this region,” CMH CEO Michael Calhoun said in the release. “This collaboration ensures that patients will continue to receive care from trusted medical professionals and have access to the best possible oncology services."

Under the new agreement, CMH will provide medical oncology, infusion services and pharmacy services, which previously were offered by Central Care Cancer Center, said Heitz-Peek. In addition to its currently provided radiation oncology services, Central Care is adding contracted management and billing support, she said.

"Patients will receive the bill from CMH, but we will contract with Central Care to carry out the billing functions," Heitz-Peek said via email.

Central Care Cancer Center's website lists six locations in Kansas and Missouri.