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Training program provides OCM tools, technology and experience, preparing practice teams for July 1^st go-live

The Woodlands, Texas (June 8, 2016) — Key personnel from practices within The US Oncology Network that were selected to participate in the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation’s (CMMI) Oncology Care Model (OCM) gathered last month in The Woodlands, Texas, for a special OCM boot camp. The intensive two-day training program, attended by physicians, administrators and clinical staff, was designed to deliver expertise and share ideas for success from The US Oncology Network leadership and practice teams as they implement changes for the OCM July 1^st go-live. The training seminar was a collaborative effort of The US Oncology Network and McKesson Specialty Health.

“The OCM is a transformative program that will lead us to what we are calling Patient Care 2.0,” said Marcus Neubauer, M.D., medical director of Oncology Services for McKesson Specialty Health and The US Oncology Network. “We are excited about the many positive aspects of the OCM, and we believe that support from The Network and McKesson will enable community oncology practices to thrive as they transition to this new era of cancer care.”

The voluntary Oncology Care Model is a payment and care delivery program that promotes value-based care by supporting the delivery of enhanced oncology services for patients through aligned financial incentives and accountability for episodes of care involving chemotherapy. Its goal is to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of cancer care, resulting in better care, smarter spending and healthier patients. The US Oncology Network-affiliated practices participating in the program were selected by the CMMI after a rigorous application process that included demonstrating the ability to meet new quality reporting metrics, along with other detailed requirements designed to drive cost-effective, high-quality care. To succeed in the OCM, oncology practices will have to undergo substantial changes in how they deliver and document care, requiring major adjustments in many clinical and operational areas.

“The OCM requires significant practice transformation,” noted Diana Verrilli, vice president and general manager of Payer & Provider Solutions for McKesson Specialty Health. “Our goal is to prepare The Network-affiliated practices to successfully manage this transformation by providing innovative tools, technology and experience to support them as they launch the OCM and move forward with it. The boot camp gave us the opportunity to demonstrate these resources while also giving attendees a chance to see the tools and hear from the sites that have been piloting them so they have experiences to bring back to their practices. The preparation will be invaluable during the transition from fee-for-service payments to value-based care.”

Over the past several months, McKesson Specialty Health’s comprehensive OCM solutions have been extensively tested and refined in value-based care settings at three pilot sites in The US Oncology Network, providing valuable information that was shared at the boot camp. Key topics discussed during the meeting included: the importance of ensuring that all staff understand the OCM and their role in it; adhering to quality metrics; patient education, eligibility and enrollment; billing for monthly enhanced oncology services; critical processes such as patient navigation, 24/7 access to care and symptom management; team care and communication; the OCM technology platform roadmap; and strategies to manage barriers to success.

“The OCM is very complex and requires major changes for practices, which can be quite disruptive to care delivery if not done properly,” explained Heather Morel, chief operating officer for The US Oncology Network. “It was very helpful to have this meeting to get an in-depth look at the tools and technologies that The US Oncology Network has created and to have the experts close at hand to guide us on their use. It was also a great confidence builder to hear from the pilot sites that have helped refine these solutions to successfully launch the OCM in their practices.”

About The US Oncology Network

The US Oncology Network is one of the nation’s largest networks of integrated, community-based oncology practices dedicated to advancing high-quality, evidence-based cancer care. A physician-led organization, The US Oncology Network unites like-minded physicians and clinicians around a common vision of improving patient outcomes and quality of life. Leveraging healthcare information technology, shared best practices, evidence-based guidelines and quality measurements, physicians within The US Oncology Network are pioneering new ways to achieve this vision. The US Oncology Network is committed to strengthening patient access to integrated care in local communities across the nation, including collaboration with a variety of payers, hospitals and academic institutions. The US Oncology Network is supported by McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation focused on empowering a vibrant and sustainable community patient care delivery system. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.

About McKesson Specialty Health

McKesson Specialty Health, a division of McKesson Corporation, empowers the community patient care delivery system by helping community practices advance the science, technology and quality of care. Through innovative clinical, research, business and operational solutions, facilitated by integrated technology systems, we focus on improving the financial health of our customers so they may provide the best care to their patients. For more information, visit www.mckessonspecialtyhealth.com.

Media Contact
Claire Crye
The US Oncology Network
281-825-9927
Claire.Crye@usoncology.com