US Oncology Launches Payer Quality Services Offering for Community Oncologists in the United Network of US Oncology

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- US Oncology, Inc., the nation's leading integrated oncology company, today launched its new Payer Quality Services offering, available to physicians who have joined the United Network of US Oncology through its new Targeted Physician Services relationship. Payer Quality Services assists oncologists in effectively collaborating with payers through pay-for-performance initiatives that recognize and reward high-quality, evidence-based cancer care.

Payer Quality Services offers oncologists access to a suite of US Oncology resources and capabilities including:

• Level I Pathways Program
  • Electronic access to Level I Pathways through iKnowMed™ -- US Oncology's oncology-specific electronic health record (EHR), or through the Innovent Oncology Portal
  • Support to operationalize Level I Pathways within an oncology practice
  • Customized drug fee schedules aligned with Level I Pathways
  • Comprehensive Level I Pathways performance reporting
• Clinical Quality Benchmarking Program
  • Measuring, reporting and benchmarking surrounding a broad range of quality measures
  • Data secured through iKnowMed or the Innovent Oncology Portal
• Patient and Referring Physician Surveys
  • Benchmarking patient and referring physician satisfaction scores
• Payer Negotiation and Strategy Support
  • US Oncology managed care experts support each practice with consulting services delivered on-site and/or remotely based on a practice's specific payer negotiation needs

"Aligning reimbursement to recognize and reward high-quality, evidence-based care requires the ability to implement, measure and report on Level I Pathways performance and patient quality measures to differentiate the practice in the local market," said Bruce Broussard, Chairman and CEO of US Oncology. "Our new Payer Quality Services offering brings to bear the managed care and pay-for-performance expertise of US Oncology to help community oncology practices effectively collaborate with payers to align the interests of the patient, payer and physician."

US Oncology has a long history of uniting physicians to create innovative solutions for oncology care.  The Payer Quality Services offering is a direct result of the experience and expertise amassed by the US Oncology network from 4 years of participation in pay-for-performance contractual relationships with payers involving nearly 20% of network physicians and 6 million covered lives across the country. The insight derived from these relationships focused on enhancing quality and effectiveness on the basis of the medical evidence makes the organization uniquely qualified to launch this type of initiative.

Level I Pathways are developed by a multi-disciplinary task force led by the practicing community oncologists in the United Network of US Oncology.  Each pathway recommends proven treatment protocols supported by high-quality research to have the best outcome and the least toxicity for the majority of patients.  Level I evidence signifies the best available cancer research published in peer-reviewed journals.  Level I Pathways are reviewed by network physicians quarterly and updated regularly as the science advances.  Currently more than 1,000 physicians have adopted and regularly use Level I Pathways to provide their patients with the therapies that offer the best chance to fight cancer – and win.

Physicians and practice administrators interested in learning more about the United Network of US Oncology, Targeted Physician Services and Payer Quality Services may contact US Oncology at 866-216-5053 or email [email protected].

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. By promoting 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.