The foundation of Innovent Oncology’s program is Level I Pathways, evidence-based guidelines that offer ANCO physicians a more precise approach to cancer care compared to other generally accepted guidelines. Developed and used by over 1,000 practicing community-based oncologists from the United Network of US Oncology, Level I Pathways assist physicians in making treatment decisions for the most commonly treated cancers and provide a consistent basis for delivering high-quality, evidence-based care. Pathways are documented through point-of-care decision support tools that provide a platform for standardization and outcomes measurement.

A joint study between Aetna and US Oncology, published in the January 2010 peer-reviewed Journal of Oncology Practice, evaluated the cost-effectiveness of Level I Pathways. The study found that outpatient costs were 35% lower for those patients treated according to Level I Pathways while maintaining equivalent health outcomes. An independent study by Milliman, an international actuarial and consulting firm, further validated the results regarding the effectiveness of Level I Pathways.

Innovent Oncology provides services to ANCO physicians that extend beyond the physician’s office to support patients between treatments. Patient Support Services (PSS) offers ANCO physicians the ability to provide personalized patient support and education between office visits to increase adherence to treatment plans and reduce emergency room visits and hospitalizations.

Advance Care Planning (ACP) assists physicians in preparing patients for disease progression and documents patient treatment preferences, including palliative care and hospice. Working with ANCO physicians, specially trained nurses facilitate open, frank conversations with the patient and his or her family to explore, understand and document the patient’s preferences for care. This proactive approach empowers patients, and increases understanding and satisfaction with care, while reducing stress on caregivers and family.

Innovent Oncology’s comprehensive approach to managing cancer care led to a recent contract with Aetna that allows physicians to share in savings achieved by meeting qualitative measures in addition to fees received for medical services. The contract to support members in Texas who have been diagnosed with cancer is expected to expand to additional states, including California, throughout 2011.

This collaboration is another example of US Oncology’s ability to support physicians in creating pay-for-performance opportunities. Currently, 60% of network physicians at US Oncology participate in pay-for-performance contracts impacting 6.2 million lives.

The nation’s leading integrated oncology company, US Oncology, unites the largest community-based cancer treatment and research network in America. Headquartered in The Woodlands, Texas, US Oncology is affiliated with more than 1,300 community-based oncologists, and works with patients, payers, hospitals, and the medical industry across all phases of the cancer research and delivery system.

Just Posted: Realizing the Promise of Pay for Performance: A Special Proram for ANCO Members

Realizing Pay for Performance: Moving from Fee for Service to Value Based Reimbursment (October 26th ANCO/Innovent Webinar--slides and/or recording

For more information on Innovent Oncology, please visit www.innoventoncology.com.

US Oncology Invests in the Development of Physician-Payer Risk Contracting Model with Milliman Assistance

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