US Oncology Launches New Flexible Options for Community Oncologists to Join the United Network of US Oncology

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, May 3 /PRNewswire/ -- US Oncology, Inc., the nation's leading integrated oncology company, today launched new flexible offerings that can be customized to the needs and characteristics of individual community-based oncology practices. Through these expanded offerings, physicians can join more than a thousand oncologists in the United Network of US Oncology to work together to realign reimbursement based on measurable quality care, advance cancer care through clinical research, enhance the patient experience and improve practice productivity.

"We now offer new flexible options for physicians to join the United Network of US Oncology so that more oncologists can participate in programs that have proven value in advancing cancer care and improving practice performance," said Bruce Broussard, Chairman and CEO of US Oncology.

Independent oncology practices can now join the United Network of US Oncology either through a Comprehensive Strategic Alliance relationship or through a NEW more flexible offering called Targeted Physician Services that tailors solutions to meet the individual needs of independent practices. Benefits of joining the United Network of US Oncology include access to:

• Physician governance and collaboration via nationwide virtual tumor boards, innovative technology, disease-specific committees and face-to-face networking meetings
• Payer quality services which enable pay for performance and the ability to report on the quality of care
• Ongoing education and shared best practices
• Level I Pathways – finely tuned evidence-based clinical guidelines developed by physician-led teams of oncology experts using the gold standard of science – randomized double-blind trials published in peer-reviewed journals
• Safe and effective drug supplies, protected through e-Pedigree technology
• Clinical research opportunities from Phase I through Phase IV
• Oncology-specific electronic health record (EHR) system
• And other value added services available only through the United Network of US Oncology

Practices with a Targeted Physician Services relationship can join the United Network of US Oncology and remain independent, but have the power and strength of a nationwide network behind them.

US Oncology has a long history of uniting physicians to create innovative solutions for oncology care. The new flexible options allow more physicians to participate and apply these resources to create a better future for cancer care in America. For a full list of United Network of US Oncology members, and to find an affiliated practice or physician, please visit the site map at www.usoncology.com.

About US Oncology

US Oncology, Inc. is the nation's leading integrated oncology company. By uniting the largest community-based cancer treatment and research network in America, US Oncology expands patient access to high-quality care and advances the science of cancer care. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, US Oncology is affiliated with more than 1,300 community-based oncologists, and works with patients, hospitals, payers, and the medical industry across all phases of the cancer research and delivery continuum. Through the use of innovative technology, clinical research, evidence-based medicine and shared best practices, US Oncology improves patient outcomes and offers a better patient experience.

US Oncology unites the nation's largest network of community-based oncology physicians through the United Network of US Oncology. These like-minded physicians are united around a common vision of expanding patient access to high-quality cancer care in communities throughout the nation. Leveraging healthcare information technology, shared best practices, refined evidence-based medicine guidelines, and quality measurements, physician members of the United Network of US Oncology are committed to advancing the quality, safety, and science of cancer care to improve patient outcomes. Members may tailor their business relationship from a suite of solutions ranging from customized targeted physician services to a long-term strategic alliance of comprehensive management solutions. For more information, visit www.usoncology.com.

SOURCE US Oncology, Inc.