Lantern's New Model Aims to Reshape Cancer Care and Cut Employer Costs

DALLAS, TX – February 11, 2026 – Specialty care platform Lantern is rolling out a significant expansion of its cancer care solution, aiming to tackle two of the biggest challenges in oncology: soaring costs for employers and inconsistent access to elite-level care for patients. By integrating continuous expert reviews from National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated centers and emphasizing community-based treatment, the company promises not only to improve patient outcomes but also to deliver a guaranteed financial return for the businesses that foot the bill.

The expanded service, which leverages a first-of-its-kind partnership with cancer expertise provider AccessHope, is already available to one million members through major employers like AT&T, Hyatt Hotels, and Greystar. It represents a strategic push to decentralize top-tier cancer knowledge, moving it from prestigious academic hospitals directly into the offices of community oncologists across the country.

The Employer's Prescription for Rising Costs

For public and private employers, cancer is the number one driver of healthcare spending, a problem compounded by rising diagnoses among the working-age population. Lantern's model directly confronts this financial burden with a multi-pronged strategy designed to deliver a guaranteed return on investment of 1.5 times or greater.

A key component is the optimization of care sites. Infusion therapies like chemotherapy and immunotherapy are primary cost drivers, with studies showing that hospital outpatient departments often charge double the price for the same services offered in a physician's practice. By using its national network and oncology nurse navigators, Lantern aims to guide patients toward high-quality, lower-cost community infusion centers when clinically appropriate.

"This expansion is about giving members the confidence that they can get the best possible care closer to home in the community," said Dickon Waterfield, President of Lantern. "Being treated at a great hospital is essential for some patients, but it doesn't have to be the default. Shifting the site of care into the community when possible can significantly lower the cost of treatment. Our program transforms the member experience by helping the member and the physician evaluate their options for the best care at a lower cost."

The platform also targets the high rates of misdiagnosis and treatment variation in cancer care. Research indicates that for some cancers, only 62% of patients receive treatment that aligns with established clinical guidelines. By ensuring an expert review at each stage of a member's journey, the program aims to increase adherence to best practices, which can prevent costly and ineffective treatments while improving a patient's chance of recovery.

Democratizing Expertise Through Collaboration

At the heart of Lantern’s expanded offering is its partnership with AccessHope, which connects local treating oncologists with subspecialists from leading NCI-designated comprehensive cancer centers. This is not a traditional second opinion, where a report is simply sent to the patient. Instead, it fosters a collaborative, peer-to-peer consultation.

When a member is diagnosed, AccessHope’s experts review their medical records and proposed treatment plan. They then provide a detailed report and can engage directly with the local oncologist to discuss the case. This model allows patients to remain in their communities, with their established support systems, while benefiting from world-class expertise. According to a study published in JCO Oncology Practice on AccessHope's model, such remote expert reviews influenced treatment in 93% of lung cancer cases and generated an average savings of $19,000 per patient.

"Cancer care is complex, and expertise matters at every phase of the journey. We engage treating providers directly to bring NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center expertise into community practices," said Dr. Yousuf Zafar, Chief Medical Officer of AccessHope. "With Lantern, employers can be confident this level of expert support is reaching members consistently across their population and throughout the cancer journey."

The integration of Specialist Management Solutions' (SMS) navigation platform also allows Lantern to use AI-enabled tools to identify high-risk or complex cases earlier, proactively initiating these expert reviews to maximize their impact on the care plan.

Redefining the Landscape of Cancer Treatment

Lantern's approach reflects a broader industry shift away from a hospital-centric model and toward a more distributed, technology-enabled system of care delivery. This has significant implications for community oncology practices, which handle the majority of cancer care in the U.S. On one hand, the model provides them with invaluable, no-cost access to subspecialist expertise, empowering them to manage complex cases that might otherwise be referred out.

On the other hand, it introduces a new layer of oversight and coordination that could add to the administrative burden of already strained practices. The success of this collaborative model hinges on its ability to support, not supplant, the local provider-patient relationship.

Another critical area the solution aims to improve is access to clinical trials. Participation in these trials offers patients access to cutting-edge treatments but is notoriously low in community settings—around 4%, compared to over 20% at NCI-designated centers. Barriers include a lack of awareness, restrictive criteria, and insufficient infrastructure. Lantern's oncology nurse navigators are tasked with closing this gap by identifying eligible patients, educating them on trial opportunities, and helping them overcome logistical hurdles, a strategy proven to increase enrollment.

By combining AI-driven patient identification, continuous NCI-level expert review, dedicated nurse navigation, and a focus on cost-effective community care, Lantern is betting it has found a sustainable formula. It seeks to create a system where the best cancer care is not confined to a few elite institutions, but is accessible to everyone, while simultaneously bending the cost curve for the employers who make that care possible.