US Oncology Network’s OCM Performance Saves Millions in Healthcare Costs
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Fourteen practices from the US Oncology Network Participate in the Oncology Care Model.
Since the beginning of The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) Oncology Care Model (OCM) in 2016, practices in the US Oncology Network have saved Medicare $197 million, according to a press release by The Network.
Currently, there are 14 US Oncology Network practices participating in the program. The OCM was designed to provide higher quality and more coordinated cancer care at the same or lower cost to Medicare. It is part of an effort to transition Medicare to a more value-based approach.
"We are extremely proud of the exceptional performance of all 14 of the practices in The US Oncology Network participating in the OCM and the cost savings they delivered to Medicare," said Stuart Staggs, senior director of Strategic Programs for The Network in the press release. "Practices in The Network are bending the cost curve for oncology while providing enhanced care to patients, as demonstrated by their outstanding quality performance scores."
In the past 6-month performance period, the 14 practices saved Medicare $54 million. Top quality measurement scores were achieved by all of the practices in the program, resulting in a 100% performance multiplier.
"Much of the success The Network practices have achieved in the OCM is the result of strong support from The US Oncology Network," said Lalan Wilfong, MD, vice president of Payer Solutions and Practice Transformation for The Network in a press release. "The Network is dedicated to ensuring its member practices have access to the tools and expertise they need to thrive in the evolving healthcare landscape."
Over the course of the program, US Oncology Network practices have improved steadily. In the current performance period, patient emergency department use was at its lowest since program inception. Instead of emergency department utilization, practices utilized telehealth, nurse navigation, and enhanced triage for patients in need of immediate attention. Significant gains were also made in pain management and depression screening.
Approximately a quarter of practices participating in the OCM program are US Oncology Network Practices. Across those practices, over 110,000 patients have been enrolled.
"It is reassuring to see how well The Network practices are performing, as the OCM is a bridge to the future and an important first step in creating patient-centered cancer care that focuses on both quality and value," said Judi Payne, director of Value-Based Care Transformation for The Network in a press release. "Building on our successes in the OCM, The US Oncology Network will continue working to advance value-based cancer care by finding new and innovative ways to elevate and enhance patient care while controlling costs."
